Rolen takes first cuts with no pain

~ The Cardinals will conduct their first full-squad workout today.

JUPITER, Fla. -- Scott Rolen is back, but some of the St. Louis Cardinals' Latin American players were delayed by visa problems as position players reported Monday for spring workouts.

Also still missing was shortstop David Eckstein. But Rolen, who played just 56 games last season after injuring his shoulder, was eager to get back in action as position players joined pitchers and catchers at the Cardinals' spring training camp in Jupiter. Full-squad workouts begin today.

Early results, Rolen said, were good.

"This is a big test for me," Rolen said. "I hit, I threw, I came out here in the heat with Mac [Dave McKay] throwing live to me and I felt nothing. I'm not saying I wasn't cutting swings off and I don't have some things to work on, but I need to get some timing and a feel back."

Manager Tony La Russa said the team will be careful with Rolen.

"There's a long time between now and opening day," La Russa said. "If he plays the rest of his career like the first part of it, he has a chance to be a Hall of Famer. He's an important guy to have back on our team."

Rolen said it just felt good to be back on the field.

"I have some catching up to do," he said. "I hadn't seen a live pitch since June or July of last year. That's a long time.

"If I feel like I did today, I'll definitely play on March 2," Rolen said. The Cardinals open spring play against the New York Mets on March 2.

While Rolen was ready to go, Juan Encarnacion, Hector Luna, Deivi Cruz and pitcher Juan Mateo, all of the Dominican Republic, were delayed by visa problems. La Russa wasn't sure when they would arrive.

Encarnacion, a free-agent acquisition, is expected to replace the retired Larry Walker in right field. Luna, Cruz and Mateo are among several players fighting for roster spots.

Also missing was shortstop David Eckstein. La Russa didn't seem concerned and didn't say why he was late.

Several players on Monday took batting practice thrown by McKay. In addition to Rolen, they included Albert Pujols, Rick Ankiel, Larry Bigbie, Brian Daubach and Chris Duncan, son of pitching coach Dave Duncan, who hit some long home runs during his session.

"Chris should be a bona fide productive major leaguer," La Russa said. "I'm excited about what kind of player he can be."