Edmonds sees first spring action in loss to Orioles

~ La Russa unveils the Cardinals' starting pitching rotation.

JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds took his biggest leap toward playing on opening day in his first spring training game Sunday in a 6-5 loss to Baltimore.

An eight-time Gold Glove winner, Edmonds has spent the spring recovering from offseason shoulder and toe surgeries.

"It was an easy day," Edmonds said. "Didn't have to run too much, didn't take too many bad swings."

Edmonds hit second in the batting order, drawing a walk and grounding out. He was replaced in the top of the fourth inning by Skip Schumaker.

The Cardinals hope Edmonds will be ready for Sunday's opener at home against the New York Mets.

"We don't know what to expect," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. "You work out and you're under control. He may make one break today and his toe would be sore and that's the end of it. Who knows?"

La Russa also released the order of the Cardinals starting rotation. As expected, Chris Carpenter will be the opening day starter, followed by Kip Wells and Braden Looper.

Carpenter will start again in the team's first game at Houston on April 6.

Adam Wainwright and Anthony Reyes will pitch against the Astros.

Reyes was the starter for St. Louis on Sunday, logging his worst performance of the spring. The right-hander allowed five runs on eight hits in four innings of work. Reyes had previously given up just one run in 16 innings.

Baltimore starter Jaret Wright walked five, hit one batter and gave up four runs in four innings. His ERA this spring swelled to 5.79.

"I thought Jaret was a little erratic today," Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo said. "We're just mainly concerned that he's healthy and feels good."