Edmonds returns in fine form

JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds played in his first spring training game Wednesday and appeared to be in midseason form.

Edmonds, recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, doubled in each of his first two at-bats, stole a base and scored St. Louis' first run in a 6-5 win over a Los Angeles Dodgers split squad.

"He hit the ball harder than anybody today," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "Amazing, and it was against a tough left-hander."

Edmonds, however, wasn't impressed.

"It really doesn't matter to me, as long as I got through it, and I can walk tomorrow," he said.

He's scheduled to play today against Houston and face Roger Clemens.

"That's just great," Edmonds said with a laugh.

He just wants to be ready for opening day on April 5.

"I was just trying to get through the day," Edmonds said. "I know it sounds stupid, but I'm just taking it one day at a time. Right now I'm not really pushing myself."

When asked when he intends to give his ailing shoulder a real test, Edmonds responded, "Not until Opening Day."

Jason Simontacchi pitched four innings and allowed one unearned run for the Cardinals.

Joe Horgan faced one batter and got the win. Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny went 3-for-3 and knocked in two runs.

Cardinals reliever Steve Kline pitched one perfect inning.

Cardinals pitcher Woody Williams is scheduled to make his first start of the spring today in a split squad game against Montreal on Thursday. Williams has been bothered by tendinitis in his shoulder.