--INF/OF Joe Mather, who entered spring training as the presumptive starter at third base, was optioned to Class AAA Memphis on April 2. A .227 spring average sealed his fate. The Cardinals bench will consist of C Jason LaRue, INFs Brendan Ryan, Brian Barden and Joe Thurston and OF Colby Rasmus.
--RHP Chris Carpenter, who felt discomfort in his left calf while running on March 30, will skip his last scheduled spring start. He had been expected to pitch against Class AAA Memphis on April 3. According to manager Tony La Russa, Carpenter could have pitched, but the team is being cautious. --RHP Chris Perez, who missed two weeks late in camp with a shoulder ailment, was optioned to Class AAA Memphis on March 30. Perez, the team's closer at the end of last season, allowed two runs in eight innings this spring. The move means RHP Jason Motte will get the first crack at ninth-inning duties.
"We are going to use whoever is available, but I would believe that Motte is going to get a chance to close games," manager Tony La Russa said.
--RHP Adam Wainwright, though he walked four in 5 1/3 innings his next-to-last spring start, said he felt "pretty ready to rock," relative to his starting the season opener on April 6. Wainwright was happy he had regained control of his slider.
--LHP Dennys Reyes, signed a couple of weeks into camp, finally reported after his Mexican team had been eliminated in the World Baseball Classic and after he had dealt with a couple of personal issue. Reyes worked a scoreless inning in his Grapefruit League debut, and pitching coach Dave Duncan said he was impressed with Reyes' location, considering his lack of work. "Me, too," Reyes said.
--Manager Tony La Russa indicated that he might be batting the pitcher in the customary ninth spot more often than not after hitting him eighth all last season in National League games. La Russa said the makeup of his lineup, especially when 3B Troy Glaus returns from injury, didn't really include a position-player candidate to hit ninth unless left-handed-hitting 2B Skip Schumaker were in the lineup against a left-handed pitcher or rookie OF Colby Rasmus were playing.
--LHP Royce Ring, who had a rough spring, cleared waivers and accepted an assignment with Class AAA Memphis. "I wouldn't say (Ring's performance was a) disappointment," general manager John Mozeliak said. "I would say we had some higher expectations."
--RHP Chris Perez, after missing two weeks with a shoulder issue, returned on March 25 and gave up one run in one inning. "The results weren't good, but I felt good," said Perez, who fanned two of three hitters he faced in his next outing against the Red Sox.
BY THE NUMBERS: 0 -- Games won by RHP Chris Carpenter since 2006.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "To be average would be great." -- New 2B Skip Schumaker, on his defense at his new position.
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