--INF Brendan Ryan, recovering from a rib-cage strain, has been performing well at Class AA Springfield (Mo.) on a medical rehabilitation option. But manager Tony La Russa is making no guarantees that Ryan will rejoin the big-league club when he is deemed ready to play on a regular basis. "He needs to get in really good shape," said La Russa. "He missed a lot of time in spring training. I don't think he's automatic. He hasn't done enough yet to give him guarantees."
--OF Skip Schumaker, after starting off 0-for-16, has hiked his average to .321. He had two hits and a walk as the leadoff man Friday.
"When he was about 0-for-11, he'd hit about eight balls that had they been a foot or two the other way, they'd been hits," said La Russa. "He was never really as bad as the oh-fer. He's the Skip Schumaker we saw all spring."
--OF Ryan Ludwick, who had homered in each of the last four games in which he had more than one at-bat, sat out Friday's start although he came in to get a single later in the game. "What he's done, it's tough not to leave him out there," said La Russa. "We looked at it hard. But which one of those (other outfielders) do you sit? You think (Skip) Schumaker is not hot? And what's wrong with (Chris) Duncan? What's wrong with Ank (Rick Ankiel)? They're all playing well."
--C Jason LaRue has started four games. All have been Cardinals wins.
--RHP Russ Springer, out with a nerve problem in his elbow, is scheduled to throw in a simulated game Saturday. He may come off the 15-day disabled list next week.
BY THE NUMBERS: 15 1/3 -- Number of scoreless innings as a Cardinal for RHP Kyle Lohse before he allowed two runs in the fourth inning last Friday against San Francisco.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "People pay attention to the ninth inning and sometimes overlook what goes before." -- RHP Jason Isringhausen, extolling the virtues of such setup men as RHP Ryan Franklin.
