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SportsFebruary 21, 2008

JUPITER, Fla. -- The St. Louis Cardinals wasted no time handing out Scott Rolen's old number. Left-handed pitcher Ron Villone, signed to a minor-league contract Tuesday, arrived at spring training camp Wednesday and was given jersey No. 27, previously worn by the third baseman dealt to Toronto in the offseason in exchange for Troy Glaus...

The Associated Press
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa talked with the media before the start of practice Wednesday in Jupiter, Fla. (ROB CARR ~ Associated Press)
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa talked with the media before the start of practice Wednesday in Jupiter, Fla. (ROB CARR ~ Associated Press)

~ La Russa likes his new veteran pitcher's ability to throw often.

JUPITER, Fla. -- The St. Louis Cardinals wasted no time handing out Scott Rolen's old number.

Left-handed pitcher Ron Villone, signed to a minor-league contract Tuesday, arrived at spring training camp Wednesday and was given jersey No. 27, previously worn by the third baseman dealt to Toronto in the offseason in exchange for Troy Glaus.

Rolen spent 5 1/2 seasons in St. Louis and was a key part of the team that won the 2004 pennant and the 2006 World Series. But a lingering feud with manager Tony La Russa led to his trade.

Villone, 38, spent the last two seasons with the New York Yankees, and the Cardinals will be his 11th team in 13 seasons if he makes the club. But he said he is willing to go to Class AAA Memphis to start the season, if necessary.

"You can look at a numbers game, seeing how many lefties there are around, but I'm not the average lefty," Villone said. "I don't think I'm a great lefty-lefty matchup guy. But that's what I've done in the past, and I can do it again."

General manager John Mozeliak said Villone offers flexibility. The 11-year veteran is 55-57 with a 4.76 ERA in 580 games, including 93 starts.

"You really need someone who can pitch often and pitch more than one inning to save the bullpen," La Russa said. "Villone can be that guy."

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Villone said, "I can throw a lot of innings, whether it's being a spot starter or to one hitter. Whatever the team needs, that's what I'm here to do."

The Cardinals may need some flexibility if Matt Clement isn't ready to open the season. The offseason acquisition missed all of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery, and the Cardinals aren't certain if he'll be ready by opening day.

Villone joins Glaus and outfielder Juan Gonzalez as players the Cardinals acquired during the winter who were mentioned on the Mitchell Report.

Villone allegedly purchased three kits of human growth hormone from former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski at $3,200 each. The report said Villone paid cash each time, twice stuffing the money inside a Seattle Mariners yearbook before mailing it to Radomski.

He referred to "inaccuracies" in the report without being specific.

"It's not for me to really sit there and pick and poke at," he said. "I'm trying to put it in the past. I did see some inaccuracies, but that's a 'he-said, she-said,' and I'm not going to get into that. I'm just going to move on.

"We all make mistakes sometimes, but it's not about saying who did this and pointing fingers. I'm playing this game. I love this game. It's more important to me than what has happened."

Villone said he would not pursue legal action.

"I'm moving on," he said. "I'm not looking back on it."

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