Cardinals and Braves get rained out in Kissimmee

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Jair Jurrjens hasn't had much luck with the weather this spring, but the Atlanta Braves right-hander is still on track to make his first regular-season start April 7 against the Chicago Cubs.

Jurrjens fell victim to the rain again Sunday, which washed out Atlanta's scheduled game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He'll get his work in during a minor league game today as he continues in catch-up mode after reporting to spring training with a sore shoulder.

A 14-game winner in 2009, Jurrjens was held out of the canceled game because of the weather, as was scheduled Cardinals starter Brad Penny. The teams ended up making it into the second inning despite the rain before play was stopped.

"I wanted to pitch today, but it's not a problem," Jurrjens said. "My shoulder feels good now, so I'm OK. I'll get my work in."

Jurrjens, who ranked third in the NL with a 2.60 ERA in 2009, didn't take the mound for the first time until March 12 because of shoulder inflammation -- and that game also was called because of rain. But he was able to get in two innings, allowing just one hit before the game was called.

"Don't blame me for the weather being bad," Jurrjens said. "It's not my fault."

At least it didn't rain on the day of one of Jurrjens' scheduled starts. He got in three innings against Florida on March 16, although he gave up five hits and three runs.

"He missed a couple weeks because of his shoulder, but he'll be ready to go," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "The big thing was to not get him out there today and have the game stopped like it was."

Jurrjens will have two more spring starts to get ready for the season.

"That's plenty," Cox said.

Sunday's game was stopped with St. Louis ahead 1-0 in the second.

Noteworthy

* Cardinals shortstop Brendan Ryan, coming off wrist surgery, had a hit in the first inning. He was 2 for 3 with a double in his first game Saturday.

* St. Louis optioned relief pitcher Josh Kinney to Class AAA Memphis before the game and sent nonroster pitchers Evan MacLane, Shelby Miller and Lance Lynn to minor league camp. Kinney appeared in 17 games last season, going 1-0 with an 8.80 ERA.