ST. LOUIS -- José Martínez knows where the Cardinals stand with about two weeks left in the regular season. He understands the complexity of a deep roster full of outfielders who are producing at the plate.

He also knows where that leaves him.

As the Cardinals vie for the National League Central title and a spot in the postseason, Dexter Fowler, Harrison Bader and Marcell Ozuna have occupied the outfield on most occasions. That leaves Martinez in a pinch-hitting role, which he doesn¡¯t mind and is used to doing -- he entered Saturday's game against the Brewers slashing .306/.390/.463 in 123 career plate appearances as a pinch-hitter-- but he knows he needs to continue to produce in those situations, too.

Martinez was activated off the injured list on Sept. 1, and after starting Game 1 of a doubleheader that day, he is 1-for-6 with a walk as a pinch-hitter since. In the Cardinals' two losses in Colorado on Tuesday and Wednesday, Martinez struck out off the bench in tight games.

¡°Of course, you want to go out and do your thing,¡± Martinez said. ¡°But I had chances and opportunities to go out there and get the confidence, and I didn¡¯t. So, I think this is the job I have right now on this team. ¡­ I¡¯m trying to get ready, trying to get ready for any situation.

¡°This is the last month of the season, and the best nine are going to be out there.¡±

Martinez was also honest when he was asked to assess his swing. In eight pitches he saw over the two at-bats in Colorado, he swung and missed five times.

¡°I don¡¯t even know where my swing is at,¡± Martinez said. ¡°I¡¯m going out there and trying to find something to hit. I mean, not just to hit. At least hit the bat.¡±

While Martinez searches for his swing in limited action, his attitude has stayed the same. He continues to keep the energy level high in the Cardinals' dugout, and he¡¯s found new ways to help his team even if that means not appearing in the game.

In the clubhouse on Saturday, Martinez and Ozuna had a conversation about Ozuna¡¯s swing and what Martinez was noticing as he watched Ozuna during games. Ozuna listened intently as Martinez helped with foot placement and arm movement during a swing.

¡°I come to the dugout, I go to the cage and see his swing, everybody¡¯s swing,¡± Martinez said. ¡°When the guys come in from an inning, and you see something or they ask you something, I¡¯ll say, ¡®You¡¯re trying to do this or trying to do that,¡¯ or ¡®The catcher is setting up early,¡¯ something that they can use to go out there and make something happen.¡±

Worth noting

Catcher Matt Wieters, who is nursing a left calf strain suffered at the beginning of September, ramped up his baseball workload at Busch Stadium on Saturday and is getting close to a return, Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. After his workout, Wieters said he is feeling back to normal, and the next step is to see how the calf recovers from the workout.