Chris Carpenter is healthy and making progress. 

LOCAL & STATE 

Forget about mental pressure, the Yanks have another type of A-Rod breakdown to sweat. 

--LHP Dennys Reyes became the latest left-handed reliever to join the Cardinals, as the free agent signed a two-year, $3 million deal. 

After re-signing RHP Kyle Lohse the day after the 2008 season, re-upping C Jason LaRue not long after that and trading for SS Khalil Greene, the Cardinals did little this offseason other than changing their quartet of left-handed relievers. 

The Cardinals have decided to give outfielder Skip Schumaker a full-bore crack at winning the job at second base, where he is spending all his defensive time in Florida. 

Minus Alex Rodriguez, the Dominican lineup was lacking. 

Left-hander Dennys Reyes and the St. 

backup head: Cards close to breaking up LHP reliever logjam 

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After re-signing RHP Kyle Lohse the day after the 2008 season, re-upping C Jason LaRue not long after that and trading for SS Khalil Greene, the Cardinals did little this offseason other than changing their trio of left-handed relievers. 

--The Cardinals had enough minor pitching injuries among some of their young hurlers that manager Tony La Russa briefly explored the possibility of borrowing a pitcher or two from Baltimore in an early exhibition game. 

The Cardinals have decided to give outfielder Skip Schumaker a full-bore crack at winning the job at second base, where he is spending all his defensive time in Florida. 

The St. 

A deal with the Dodgers appears imminent for Manny.