12 Ty Wigginton, 3B

Cardinals infielder Ty Wigginton is in the team's starting lineup Thursday against the Mets.

Wigginton will hit seventh and play first base. Regular first baseman Allen Craig will shift to left field, giving Matt Holliday a day off. Wigginton has only started seven games this year. This will be his third start at first base. Wigginton is hitting .200/.286/.240 in 25 at-bats. 

Cardinals infielder Ty Wigginton entered Tuesday's contest against the Mets having seen just 24 at-bats this year. Despite his lack of playing time, his presence in the locker room has been valuable, MLB.com reports.

"I think he's done a real nice job of being that veteran presence that we'd hope he would be," manager Mike Matheny said. "We talked to him when he first came in and he's stepped up. He helps a lot of these young players - not just the bench guys, but some of these guys who are playing every day. He's just a good teammate … and in the meanwhile, he's trying to do his part to contribute."

The 35-year-old added he knew what he was getting into when he signed with St. Louis.

"I knew the role coming in," Wigginton said. "Just show up every day ready. The thing about baseball is that every day truly is a new day, and [you] just prepare yourself each and every day. Obviously, there are challenges in keeping your timing, trying to get some rhythm. But fortunately we have [hitting coach John] Mabry here, who really helps out in that aspect and [assistant hitting coach] Bengie [Molina]. They've been great keeping us ready. It's fun. It's a new challenge."