JUPITER, Fla. (AP) – Cuban shortstop Aledmys Diaz was set to make his exhibition debut for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Washington Nationals. Diaz was in the starting lineup to hit eighth. Washington started Gio Gonzalez.  Diaz last played in Cuba in 2012, then defected. His probably will start the season at Double-A Springfield.

He worked out with the Cardinals last week and played in minor league exhibition games before going to Mexico for his U.S. work visa, which is needed before he can play in big league spring training games.