Glaus cleared for baseball activities

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Troy Glaus has been cleared to resume baseball activities, although the best case scenario calls for a return in mid- to late July.

Glaus has been working out in Arizona with a personal trainer after hitting a snag in his return from shoulder surgery in January. General manager John Mozeliak said Monday that Glaus will start with a throwing program and progress to hitting.

Mozeliak said the news won't change the Cardinals' desire to seek offensive help in the meantime. The primary replacements have been rookie Joe Thurston, hitting .240 with one homer and 15 RBIs, and Brian Barden, hitting .239 with four homers and eight RBIs.

* Cardinals pitcher Kyle Lohse expects to start Wednesday after emerging from a bullpen session without pain in his right forearm.

Lohse was hit in the arm by a pitch May 23.

The Cardinals already have a fill-in starter for today, with long reliever Brad Thompson getting his first start of the season in place of Joel Pineiro, who has back spasms.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Monday that Pineiro was feeling better and the team was hopeful he could take his next turn Sunday.

-- AP