Blending in new pieces

~ St. Louis' concerns have shifted from third base to second base.

ST. LOUIS -- Spring training began with infield concerns for the St. Louis Cardinals, and ended that way, too.

Just at a different position.

Third baseman Scott Rolen, coming off a pair of operations to his left shoulder that limited him to about a half-season, appears ready to resume his role as one of the team's offensive weapons. That was the big question mark in mid-February.

"I'm happy with where I am right now," Rolen said. "Everybody's happy."

A pre-spring checkup with Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the Reds' team doctor who performed season-ending surgery last August, confirmed Rolen's feeling. The shoulder has been battered over the years from base-running mishaps, one occurring in the 2002 playoffs and the other last May with then-Dodgers first baseman Hee-Seop Choi.

"He tested my strength, and everybody has tested the repair itself and the way it was done," Rolen said. "Everybody said 'Get out of here, you're good."'

If there is any concern now, it's of the mild nagging variety. At times, it takes more time for him to loosen up.

"If you have hemorrhoids it's an issue, but it's not really going to affect your day," Rolen said. "You can call it a hemorrhoid."

The new problem position as the Cardinals prepare to open a new, $365 million Busch Stadium is second base, where newcomer Junior Spivey has endured a most challenging spring. He'll begin the season as the starter despite an average well below .200 and shaky defense, mostly because of his track record.

"Nobody's more frustrated or upset than he is," manager Tony La Russa said. "He's not a happy camper."

Spivey beat out Aaron Miles and Deivi Cruz, released on Wednesday. He was an NL All-Star in 2002 with the Brewers, but is coming off a broken arm that limited him to 77 games last year, his second straight season with injury issues.

To his credit he makes no excuses for rust.

"What can you say about my performances? It's not up to par," Spivey said. "I know what I can do, I just haven't been getting it done.

"That's where I'm at, that's what I'm battling."

Spivey also does not believe early struggles, or attempting to impress his new team, caused him to press.

"You can't just beat yourself up in spring training," he said. "We haven't even gotten into the season, so if you start beating yourself up now, you're going to carry it in."

If Spivey doesn't work out as the team's third starting second baseman in three years, the Cardinals' frugal attitude with predecessor Mark Grudzielanek could come back to haunt them. Grudzielanek was consistent at the plate and in the field, helping set a franchise record for double plays, but the team capped its salary offer at $2 million and he left as a free agent for the Royals.

Coming off consecutive 100-win seasons for the first time since World War II, the Cardinals also have replacements at both corner outfield positions. Their big offseason splash was $15 million for three years more on potential than on past production for Juan Encarnacion, who takes over for the retired Larry Walker in right field.

They'll likely platoon So Taguchi and one of a number of left-handed hitting outfielders in left. Larry Bigbie was the leading candidate before a stress fracture of his left heel landed him on the 15-day disabled list for the start of the season.

The Cardinals used to have the most feared lineup in the NL, built around MVP Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds and Rolen. Now it appears not quite so fearsome, even if Rolen returns to form.

Instead, a pitching staff fortified by comeback right-hander Sidney Ponson and a rebuilt bullpen appears to be the team's strength. Behind a staff led by NL Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter, a 21-game winner last season, the Cardinals led the major leagues with 80 victories from the starters.

"It's going to be a fun year," Carpenter said. "We've still got to go out and play the games, but we have the potential."

Behind Carpenter, the Cardinals have Mark Mulder (16-8), Jason Marquis (13-14), Jeff Suppan (16-10) and Ponson, a 17-game winner in 2003 before his career was derailed by alcohol-related problems. Ponson was a bargain signing at $1 million with $1.5 million in incentives after he was released by the Orioles, although the Cardinals made him earn the spot in the rotation.

"They told me I had to come in and win it, that everybody was on even ground," Ponson said. "They never told me it's my job, and they never said it's your job if you mess up.

"So I just go out and try to get outs."

Ponson got the job about a week ago after top prospect Anthony Reyes was optioned to Triple-A Memphis and Adam Wainwright was moved to the bullpen.

"It's a long way to the end of the season and we'll evaluate Sidney at the end," pitching coach Dave Duncan said. "It's that way with anybody.

"You start predicting what guys can do and you're making a big mistake."

The main constant in a bullpen that has only three holdovers is the most important element. Closer Jason Isringhausen blew only four of 43 save chances last season.

Braden Looper, the closer for the Mets last year and coming off shoulder surgery, will be the primary setup man.

The Cardinals, who will try to make it three straight 100-win seasons since 1942-44, open on Monday at Philadelphia. The home opener at the new stadium is set for April 10 against the Brewers, although the ballpark, which overlaps territory occupied by the old stadium, isn't scheduled to be finished until sometime in July.

La Russa won't mind any rough edges.

"If the playing field is ready to go, what's rough?" he said. "We don't care if some of the niceties inside are not ready for us."