Ryan Theriot is hitting eighth for the Cardinals Sunday.

Theriot was in the No. 7 spot in his first game back from a strained oblique Friday, and then he was not in Saturday's lineup, though he did come into the game late. We're guessing manager Tony La Russa is being a tad cautious with Theriot's oblique by giving him as few at-bats as possible, though if that's the reason he's been moved down from the leadoff spot, it's worth questioning whether he should be in the lineup at all. Nick Punto is batting leadoff Sunday for the second time in the last three days.

Ryan Theriot went 2-for-4 with a run scored in his return to the lineup Friday.

Theriot was moved down to the No. 7 spot in the order rather than his customary leadoff position. He is not in the lineup Saturday, though there's been no indication that he suffered a setback with his oblique strain.

The Cardinals expect Ryan Theriot (oblique) to be able to return to the starting lineup sometime over the weekend.

Theriot has missed three starts but participated in pre-game warm-ups and batting practice before Thursday's game and was able to enter on defense late. He's batting .311/.361/.356 with 10 runs and three steals on the year.

Ryan Theriot returned to action on Thursday April 28.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa considers Ryan Theriot (ribcage) day-to-day and doesn't think his shortstop will need a stint on the disabled list.

"I don't think he'll be disabled," La Russa said. "It will be day to day with him. We'll try to avoid risking him. He could probably [pinch] run." Theriot thinks he could play Wednesday if needed. "I've never had it before," Theriot said. "It just kind of happens. I don't think it's anything major. It's more precautionary, I think, just to make sure nothing lingers."

Ryan Theriot remains out of the Cardinals' lineup Wednesday due to a ribcage injury.

Theriot also missed Tuesday's series-opener against the Astros. The Cardinals are expected to provide an update soon on the status of their starting shortstop.

Ryan Theriot was a late scratch from Tuesday's lineup due to right ribcage soreness.

Theriot took an awkward looking swing late in Sunday's game, which is likely when he suffered the injury. It's not clear at this point how long he might be out, but if Theriot is sidelined for a while, Nick Punto would receive the bulk of the playing time, with Tyler Greene also getting some starts.

Ryan Theriot was a late scratch from Tuesday's lineup for undisclosed reasons.

Theriot participated in batting practice and there were no indications that he was dealing with an injury, so perhaps Cardinals manager Tony La Russa just had a change of heart. We'll update his status when more is known. Nick Punto is sliding over from second base to start at shortstop. David Freese is also now in the lineup after originally being slated for another day off.

Ryan Theriot went 2-for-5 with a run scored and a pair of RBI in Friday's 5-4 extra innings loss to the Giants.

He also walked once and stole his second base of the season. Theriot had a long battle with Giants closer Brian Wilson with the bases loaded in the ninth before singling in two runs to put the Cards ahead, but Ryan Franklin was unable to shut the door and they lost in extras. The two-hit night upped Theriot's average to .222.

Former Cub Ryan Theriot has angered some of his former teammates with comments he made about the organization.

Theriot said in a radio interview shortly after landing in St. Louis that he was "finally on the right side" of the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry and that the World Series was "almost an afterthought" and "an unattainable goal" for the Cubs. Koyie Hill, among others, took umbrage of the comments, saying, "There's probably a decent chance he's going to feel how hard the dirt is around the home plate batters' box." One of baseball's oldest rivalries just got ratcheted up a notch.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said Ryan Theriot would be the team's leadoff hitter "if we started today."

It's where we figured he would slot in. Theriot's OBP slid to .321 in a down 2010 season, but he finished with a .387 mark just a couple years ago. The Cardinals' new shortstop also offers speed as a table setter, having stolen 20+ bases four years in a row.

Cardinals and INF Ryan Theriot avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.3 million contract.

The Cardinals just picked up Theriot from the Dodgers last week. The 31-year-old batted .270/.321/.312 with two homers, 29 RBI and 20 stolen bases with the Cubs and Dodgers this past season and is expected to be the starting shortstop for the Redbirds in 2011.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Cardinals view Ryan Theriot as a shortstop, not a second baseman.

That leaves Brendan Ryan without a job and as a likely non-tender candidate. Theriot typically posts good range numbers at shortstop and represents an upgrade over Ryan offensively. The Cards will now look to upgrade at second base and could be targeting Orlando Hudson, according to Rosenthal. Skip Schumaker might also be non-tendered if the "O-Dog" signs.

Cardinals acquired INF Ryan Theriot from the Dodgers for RHP Blake Hawksworth.

Theriot was a near lock to be non-tendered by the Dodgers on Thursday, but it appears the Cardinals didn't want to take the chance of losing him to another team. Theriot, who turns 31 in December, earned $2.6 million this past season while batting .270/.321/.312 with two homers, 29 RBI and 20 stolen bases with the Cubs and Dodgers. Theriot gives the Cardinals some versatility for their middle infield, though he will likely slot in at second base.

Ryan Theriot came off the bench again Wednesday and walked twice against the Phillies.

Theriot missed a second straight start with a sore knee, but he should be ready to go on Friday.

Ryan Theriot was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to tightness behind his knee.

We still think it probably had something to do with the takeout slide last night. Consider him day-to-day for now. Ronnie Belliard is starting at second base Tuesday night.

Ryan Theriot was scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup against the Phillies.

No word on the reason for his absence, but he was involved in a pretty nasty takeout slide at second base last night. Ronnie Belliard will start at second base in his place.

Dodgers acquired 2B Ryan Theriot from Cubs.

The Dodgers are getting Theriot and Ted Lilly, along with some cash, in exchange for Blake DeWitt and a pair of minor leaguers. Theriot will take over as the starting second baseman in LA and shouldn't see much of a fluctuation in his fantasy value.

The Cubs have discussed a deal with the D-backs that would send Ryan Theriot to Arizona and Kelly Johnson to Chicago, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

This would seem to be a strange deal for both sides, since the Cubs aren't in contention and the D-backs could surely get more for Johnson. The D-backs second baseman is under team control for 2011, while the Cubs infielder is under team control through 2012. We're still betting that if Theriot is traded, it will be to the Dodgers.

Ryan Theriot went 2-for-4 with a home run in the Cubs' win over the Astros Monday.

The longball was Theriot's first since June 29 of last season, as all seven of his dingers in 2009 came in the first half. He also added a single on the night. Fantasy owners draft Theriot for his steals and solid average, and he's been fine in both regards this season with a .283 batting mark and 16 swipes.