Cardinals’ infielder Khalil Greene expects to be activated Thursday

Greene expects to be activated Thursday

ST. LOUIS — Cardinals infielder Khalil Greene, on the 15-day disabled list while dealing with social anxiety problems, expects to be activated on Thursday.

Greene worked out with the team Wednesday after meeting with manager Tony La Russa, and said after a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers that he was ready. Greene was batting .200 with two homers, 14 RBIs and a team-high seven errors at shortstop.

“I’m excited,” Greene said. “I came here to contribute to the team in whatever way possible, so if that’s third base or shortstop or coming off the bench, I’m ready to do it.”

Greene said he hadn’t been told whether he’d be in the lineup against the Tigers. La Russa would not confirm that the move was imminent and said he’d talk with Greene again on Thursday.

Greene was not specific about what landed him on the DL, or what treatment he has undergone.

“I’m not going to go into detail about it,” he said. “But I feel fine. It’s just a matter of getting things figured out and getting back to a place where I feel comfortable within the confines of the playing field, and just to be able to let that ability come out.”

Greene played a few games at third base during a brief rehab stint at Triple-A Memphis and likely would return to the lineup at that position. He played third in college but not in the major leagues.

“The sample size wasn’t huge, but I played there a significant portion of my collegiate career,” Greene said. “Different view, different perspective. I enjoy it.”

La Russa said Greene likely would spend more time at third base but could start at his usual shortstop if Joe Thurston is in the lineup. Thurston has played well as one of the fill-ins for injured third baseman Troy Glaus.