Mixed Early Results For the Cards

Well, the Cards stand 2-2 in Grapefruit play.  They swept the Mets, then got swept by the Marlins.  What can we take from all of these games so far?

First off, it looks like Tyler Johnson will need an MRI.  Hopefully it's nothing serious and TJ can get back into the bullpen mix.  If it is something that will have him start on the DL, that could be a problem, because you know how LaRussa wants two or three lefties in the pen.  Would that mean Villone would make the team?  Possible, I guess.  Not exactly a thrilling idea.

Everyone seems to be pretty enamored with Kyle McClellan.  Not that he did anything yesterday to disprove that theory.  We're not going to see him start the year in St. Louis--he only pitched part of last year at Springfield, and even then in relief--but he could be someone to keep an eye on this summer for a late season callup or for next year.

It's the first cut day, as players are sent back to the minor league camp.  It's not a big deal, as I figure most of those players will be people that see action at AA or maybe even A ball this year.  In other words, they didn't plan on making the team.

In that same story is the note that Sidney Ponson is throwing on Cardinal mounds.  I'm pretty sure that the tryout for other teams is the only time he'll be pitching in Cardinal land, but I could be mistaken.  If he's turned himself around as the story indicates, maybe there's something there.  I wouldn't count on it, though.

Rasmus has cooled down a bit, throwing up an 0-3 on Saturday to drop his spring average to .200.  More days like that are going to make the decision to send him to Memphis a lot easier.  That's probably where he needs to be anyway, but there will be a lot of attention paid during the summer to when he will be called up.

Clement and Pineiro seem to be coming along.  Good to hear that Pineiro should be starting within the week.

And today's lineup, again from Bird Land:

1. Adam Kennedy, 2B
2. Rick Ankiel, CF
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Troy Glaus, 3B
5. Chris Duncan, LF
6. Ryan Ludwick, DH
7. Skip Schumaker, RF
8. Jason LaRue, C
9. Aaron Miles, SS

Starting pitcher: RHP Braden Looper. Followed by: RHP Ryan Franklin; RHP Jason Motte; RHP Mark Worrell; RHP Clayton Mortensen; LHP Ron Flores; RHP Hugo Castellanos and RHP P.J. Walters and RHP Mitchell Boggs.

The game will be on XM 180, if you can handle the Washington announcers.

Cardinal70 covers the St. Louis Cardinals on his blog, C70 At The Bat.

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