La Russa sees busy year ahead for Kline

JUPITER, Fla. -- Expect left-handed reliever Steve Kline to pitch just about anytime, anywhere, against anybody, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Tuesday.

Kline is entering his second season with the Cardinals after coming over prior to the 2001 season along with starter Dustin Hermanson from Montreal for third baseman Fernando Tatis. La Russa said Kline was better than advertised.

"We expected a lot of him and he was better than we expected," La Russa said.

Position players are due in camp today and the first full-scale drills start around noon following physical exams in the morning.

Kline appeared in a team-record 89 games last season. His 1.80 earned run average was second among NL relievers, and he converted nine saves in 10 opportunities. Kline has led the National League in games pitched each of the last three seasons.

"Last season was really a dream season for me," Kline said. "The only regret was that pitch to (Tony) Womack in the playoffs." Womack's two-out single off Kline in the ninth inning gave the Arizona Diamondbacks a win in the fifth and deciding first-round playoff game.

Since then, the Cardinals have acquired a new closer, Jason Isringhausen, formerly of the Oakland A's. But La Russa said Kline will continue to play a prominent role.

"I plan to use Steve anytime after the sixth inning, against right-handers as well as left-handers," La Russa said. "I would like to cut back on the number of innings he pitches only to save his arms for the future."