Lingering shoulder stiffness delays Isringhausen's debut

JUPITER, Fla. -- Jason Isringhausen's spring training debut will have to wait a little longer, jeopardizing his chance of making the Cardinals' opening day roster.

The closer encountered stiffness in his surgically-repaired right shoulder on Wednesday, a day before he was to appear in his first game. He won't appear in a game until next week at the earliest, and that's the final week of spring training.

"This is our first setback," Isringhausen said Thursday. "It felt 110 percent better today but they just kind of pushed me back four days."

Isringhausen had 32 saves in 38 chances last season, but underwent offseason surgery to repair a frayed labrum. All along he has maintained he'd be ready for the opener, until Thursday when he conceded he may need to stay in extended spring training for a while.

"If I look sharp in the games, then they'll have to think about it," Isringhausen said. "If not, then I may be staying down here."

He didn't appear overly disappointed.

Right-hander Crudale among four players cut

Among four players cut Thursday was right-handed reliever Mike Crudale, who had a 1.88 ERA on last season's NL Central championship team. Crudale and catcher Javier Molina were optioned to the minor leagues, and infielder Kurt Abbott and left-handed reliever Kevin Ohme were reassigned.