Final roster spot is going to the wire

ST. LOUIS -- It looks like the competition for the St. Louis Cardinals' 25th roster spot will go right down to the wire.

Manager Tony La Russa indicated Sunday that the team might not decide between outfielders So Taguchi and Kerry Robinson until close to game time for today's opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.

"It's a real close call," La Russa said. "Robby has been with us and Taguchi has had a good spring. We don't have a unanimous (opinion) on that."

Taguchi, a Japanese import in the second year of a three-year, $3 million deal, spent all of last season in the minors and dropped down for a time to Class AA. He showed improvement in all aspects of his game in spring training, batting .298 with a home run, seven doubles and six RBIs.

Robinson, a former Southeast Missouri State University standout, hit .239 with three doubles, a triple and four RBIs in spring training. Last year, he hit .260.

Both players have minor-league options. They both were on the 25-man roster as of Sunday, but the Cardinals will add right-handed reliever Kiko Calero today, and one will have to go.

Kolero, 28, was signed as a minor-league free agent and was the find of spring training with seven scoreless innings and only two hits allowed. His emergence led to the release of offseason acquisitions Joey Hamilton and Al Levine.

"Kiko is the only one that's a surprise," La Russa said.

Center fielder Jim Edmonds did a full range of baseball-related activities Sunday and is expected to start in the opener. Edmonds played in his first game Saturday since straining his left calf March 7 as the designated hitter against Triple-A Memphis.

"We know he's going to be on the active roster," La Russa said. "Otherwise, we wouldn't have played him in that game."

Despite injury problems in addition to Edmonds', La Russa said he doesn't expect any sympathy on opening day. He expects results, immediately, from the NL Central champions.

"We've got to be ready to compete," La Russa said. "I don't think you're allowed to have patience. We'll get through it."

The Cardinals, 97-65 last year, open the season with a rebuilt bullpen missing closer Jason Isringhausen, coming off offseason shoulder surgery. Isringhausen is eligible to come off the DL on April 6, and likely won't be used on consecutive days for a while.

Russ Springer, Steve Kline, Jeff Fassero and Dustin Hermanson are the candidates for closer until Istringhausen returns.

Even with Edmonds, the Cardinals are unsettled in the outfield. J.D. Drew, who had offseason knee surgery, isn't expected to be available until late April. Backup catcher Joe Girardi is out 4-to-6 weeks with a back injury.