--CF Colby Rasmus, the top prospect in the system, might hit ninth for the Cardinals, behind the pitcher -- "if he's in the starting lineup," manager Tony La Russa said. It appears regardless of whether Skip Schumaker starts at center field or second base, he will hit first.
--3B Troy Glaus is not close to resuming baseball-related activities nearly five weeks after surgery to repair a damaged muscle near his right shoulder. He remains more than a month from appearing in a Grapefruit League game. Club officials had set Glaus' possible return to regular-season action at mid- to late April, but Glaus described the timetable for his return as "kind of vague." --OF Chris Duncan, who has a new titanium disk in his neck, is swinging the bat full-bore as he seeks to recover his platoon part of the left field job.
"He has done it at the big-league level at clutch, prime time," manager Tony La Russa said. "That's why you have to factor him in as a big plus for this year."
--Like OF Rick Ankiel, OF Ryan Ludwick didn't have to enter an arbitration hearing. He and the club settled past the midpoint at $3.7 million for his 2009 salary.
--Longtime Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen, who became a free agent after having late-season flexor tendon surgery last year, signed a minor league deal with the Rays.
"My elbow doesn't hurt all. I'm good to go," Isringhausen said recently.
BY THE NUMBERS: 4 -- 1B Albert Pujols was one of four major-leaguers to have walked 100 times last season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I didn't know what was wrong for a while. I knew my neck hurt." -- OF Chris Duncan, who is believed to be the first player to have a titanium disk inserted in his neck to relieve discomfort from a herniated disk.
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