Isringhausen impressive facing hitters for first time

JUPITER, Fla. -- On the comeback trail from offseason shoulder surgery, Jason Isringhausen offered the Cardinals hope Friday that he'll be ready for opening day.

The closer, facing batters for the first time since last October's surgery, was nearly unhittable in a 21-pitch batting practice session. Working on one of the back fields at Roger Dean Stadium under the watchful eye of manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan, he impressed both of them.

Pitching to Todd Dunwoody and Kurt Abbott, he allowed only two fair balls, one foul and a lot of swings and misses.

"That stuff there wasn't an arm that just had surgery, was less than his best or holding back," La Russa said. "He's right on time."

La Russa said Isringhausen's stuff was similar to what he'd been showing in bullpen sessions this spring. Duncan said throwing to batters was the next logical step.

Isringhausen, who had the surgery in October, is confident. He expects to get in at least a few spring training games, then close on a somewhat restrictive basis at the start of the season.

Last year, Isringhausen had 32 saves in 38 chances and averaged a strikeout per inning.

"The final say goes to them," he said. "If they want me to be more ready, then we'll wait a little bit.

"They'll have to watch using me on back-to-back days for a while, but if I can help them every other day, it ain't too bad."

La Russa doesn't want to look too far ahead, though. He said only that Isringhausen would throw another bullpen session Monday.

"Opening day is a kind of a deadline, but the deadline is the season," La Russa said. "If he's ready opening day, fine. If he's not, fine."

"It's more important to evaluate every time he goes out there, and try to do the right thing."

Isringhausen, who underwent surgery for a frayed labrum, was a bit high with his fastball, but showed off a sharp-breaking curve that left batting coach Mitchell Page grunting in awe.

"I was out there kind of working on stuff," Isringhausen said. "The fastball was up a little bit, but the breaking stuff was good and the arm felt good."

Isringhausen impressed himself with his curveball, since he hasn't been working much on it.

"The more I throw it, the better I feel," he said. "I haven't been throwing it much, but I'm already throwing it for strikes, so that's good."