--CF Rick Ankiel, who had been homerless for the spring, hit home runs in back-to-back games on March 19-20 against the defending league champions, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia.
--RF Ryan Ludwick, whose spring average had dipped to .150 with a 2-for-22 funk, homered on March 19. After some extended work with hitting coach Hal McRae both in the batting cage and the video room, Ludwick, who had 37 homers last year, said, "I feel like I'm in a much better place now then I was 1 1/2 weeks ago." --LHP Dennys Reyes, who signed with the Cardinals while he was pitching for the Mexican team in the World Baseball Classic, made his Grapefruit League debut for St. Louis on March 25. He threw a scoreless inning against Houston.
--2B Skip Schumaker pivoted two double plays in a pair of games as he gradually is becoming more comfortable at the position. He almost certainly will get the majority of the time at that position early in the season.
--Joe Mather may not be the regular third baseman, as was thought, while Troy Glaus recovers from shoulder surgery. Mather's spring batting average was .196 through March 20, and he was being moved around in the field, spending much of his time in the outfield.
BY THE NUMBERS: 8 -- Millions of dollars by which the Cardinals' payroll is expected to drop. Last year's opening payroll was more than $101 million, but this year's is projected closer to $93 million.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Other clubs are feeling the same thing. We're tightening our belts." -- Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr.
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