Peter Bourjos has started just one of the last eight games for the Cardinals.

He's on the bench this time even though the Cubs are starting left-hander Travis Wood. There's no doubt that Bourjos is off to a really rough start at the plate (.160/.250/.260), but banishing his elite defense to the bench after 50 at-bats doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Jon Jay, who has just three hits in his last 19 at-bats, is starting in center field.

Peter Bourjos has started just four out of the last 10 games in center field for the Cardinals.

Bourjos is batting just .190/.261/.310 over his first 14 games, while Jon Jay is sporting a .297/.350/.486 line. Of course, Bourjos' calling card is his defense, so he's going to play plenty even if he doesn't hit much. Still, it's a discouraging development for those that used a late-round pick on the speedster. It's also worth noting that Oscar Taveras is making his first start of the season in center field for Triple-A Memphis Monday.

Peter Bourjos stayed hot at the plate Tuesday, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored against the Reds.

Bourjos picked up his first two hits of the season Monday, and Tuesday he drove in his first run with an RBI single in the seventh inning. The center fielder will start most days for his defense alone, and anything he can provide at the plate is a bonus for the Cardinals and fantasy owners.

Peter Bourjos picked up his first two hits as a Cardinal and scored two runs in Monday's win over the Reds.

Bourjos was hitless through his first 14 plate appearances to begin the season before blooping in a single in front of Billy Hamilton in his first at-bat. He then bounced a ball over third baseman Todd Frazier's head in the seventh for a two-bagger. Bourjos was hitting in the two-hole Monday as the Cards tried to get his bat going, but he figures to spend most of his time hitting towards the bottom of the order.

Peter Bourjos is in the Cardinals' starting lineup on Monday against the Reds.

Bourjos gets the nod with the Reds sending out lefty Tony Cingrani. He is batting second and playing center field. Bourjos is hitless through 14 plate appearances to begin the season.

Peter Bourjos is not in the Cardinals' starting lineup on Thursday afternoon against the Reds.

Jon Jay will get his first start of the season, batting eighth and playing center field against Reds right-hander Homer Bailey. Bourjos is 0-for-6 with three strikeouts through two games with St. Louis.

Peter Bourjos went 3-for-3 against the Marlins on Tuesday, raising his spring average to .343.

Bourjos has outplayed Jon Jay this spring, so he'll be the primary center fielder early on. However, he'll probably bat eighth in the St. Louis lineup, limiting his fantasy potential somewhat.

Peter Bourjos went 2-for-2 Monday in his second game back from leg tightness.

That was about the only positive to come out of a 17-5 loss to the Tigers. Bourjos missed a week before retuning on Sunday.

Peter Bourjos (hamstring) is scheduled to return to Grapefruit League action on Sunday.

He's missed the past week of camp while nursing a hamstring cramp. Boujos has had problems with hamstring injuries over the years, so this situation bears monitoring. He's the projected starting CF in St. Louis.

Peter Bourjos (leg) hopes to return to Grapefruit League action on Friday.

Bourjos hasn't appeared in a spring game since Sunday due to tightness in his right leg. He's had multiple hamstring injuries over the past couple of years, so this is going to be something to monitor for the rest of the month and into the 2014 regular season. Bourjos, who currently projects as the Cardinals' starting center fielder, said in January that he wants to steal 40 bases this summer.

Peter Bourjos believes he can steal 40 bases this season if he gets "regular, starter at-bats."

Bourjos has very good speed, but he's battled wrist and hamstring injuries over the past two seasons and may have to platoon in center field this year with the left-handed-hitting Jon Jay. Oscar Taveras also looms as a potential roadblock to Bourjos getting regular playing time. The dynamic 26-year-old was traded to the Cardinals in November in a four-player swap that sent David Freese to Anaheim.

Cardinals avoided arbitration with OF Peter Bourjos by agreeing to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.

Bourjos, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, can also earn an additional $150,000 in plate appearance incentives. The defensive wizard is slated to serve as the Cardinals' primary center fielder in 2014.

Peter Bourjos (wrist) was cleared to swing a bat over the weekend.

Bourjos had surgery in early September to repair his right wrist, but he'll enter spring training at 100 percent. The 26-year-old is expected to be the Cardinals' regular center fielder next season.

Peter Bourjos told the Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher recently that his surgically-repaired right wrist felt great and he would begin hitting soon.

Bourjos had surgery in early September to repair the wrist, but he'll enter spring training at 100 percent. The new St. Louis Cardinal should serve as the club's regular center fielder next season.

Cardinals acquired OFs Peter Bourjos and Randal Grichuk from the Angels in exchange for 3B David Freese and RHP Fernando Salas.

Bourjos has had trouble staying healthy at times, including in 2013 when he was limited to just 55 games. However, he offers plenty of speed and a little bit of pop and is an elite defensive center fielder. He should play pretty regularly there in 2014, shifting Jon Jay to more of a fourth outfielder role. The Cardinals will also now move Matt Carpenter over to third base, leaving second base open for Kolten Wong.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cardinals have acquired Peter Bourjos from the Angels.

David Freese is presumably headed to Anaheim in the deal, though Rosenthal hasn't confirmed that part yet. The Freese-for-Bourjos rumor started on Thursday and it appears the deal is complete, though other players are expected to be involved. Bourjos sports a .251/.306/.398 career batting line and missed much of 2013 due to injury, but he's an elite defensive center fielder and has flashed promise with the bat in the past. He figures to get plenty of playing time in center field in 2014.

The Cardinals like Peter Bourjos and "he could be the guy" if a David-Freese-to-the-Angels trade is worked out, according to the Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher.

Bourjos would then compete with Jon Jay for the team's starting center field job in spring training, with the loser taking over fourth outfielder duties. The move would improve both St. Louis' team defense and speed. While the Cardinals are stacked with third base candidates -- rendering Freese expandable -- the Angels are not. Grant Green is their current projected starter with Luis Jimenez as a backup option. They simply must bring in another hot corner option.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Phillies are interested in Peter Bourjos.

Rosenthal notes that they have long been intrigued by Bourjos, but that they would want him as a backup "who could protect them against injury and provide above-average defense." The problem is that the Angels want young starting pitching in return, which the Phillies don't have. Rosenthal thinks they'll have to involve a third team in order to make a trade work.

Angels activated OF Peter Bourjos from the 60-day disabled list.

Bourjos hit .274/.333/.377 with three homers, 12 RBI and six stolen bases in just 175 at-bats before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair his injured right wrist. He'll be fully recovered in time for spring training.

Peter Bourjos' season-ending surgery to repair his injured right wrist on Tuesday was deemed a success.

The 26-year-old outfielder hit .274/.333/.377 with three homers, 12 RBI and six stolen bases in just 175 at-bats. It was a disappointing campaign for a player many felt would break through in 2013. Bourjos will be fully recovered for spring training and might be a nice buy-low player in spring drafts.