Jordan Walker

Lopez can't blame his defense for his unearned runs, as he committed an error on a ball hit by Jordan Walker, and then he gave up a two-run blast to Lars Nootbaar. He settled down over his final two innings after allowing runs in each of the first three frames, but it's a lackluster start for the 29-year-old. He'll get a chance to face off against the White Sox next week.

Walker returns to St. Louis' lineup for the first time in nearly two weeks due to left knee inflammation. The 22-year-old top prospect figures to break camp as the Cardinals' starting right fielder, but that isn't quite set in stone. His Opening Day status will likely be determined by how his knee responds during the next week of game action.

Walker (knee) will start in right field and bat sixth in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Toronto.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Walker (knee) is tracking toward a return to the lineup Saturday against the Blue Jays, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Marmol added that Walker has progressed to running, and has been swinging in the batting cages, as he continues to work his way back from left knee inflammation. With only two weeks left until Opening Day, he'll need to get back into game action at some point in the next few days to have a shot at breaking camp without a trip to the injured list. His absence would ensure a spot for speedster Victor Scott II on St. Louis' season-opening roster.