JUPITER, Fla. _ No fewer than five lefthanded relievers will be on the Cardinals’ traveling squad today as the club heads for Port  St. Lucie, Fla., to play the New York Mets.

The only lefthanded reliever not making the journey is veteran Trever Miller, who fanned all three hitters he faced on Monday here, and is the only one certain of making the club, manager Tony La Russa said.

The rest of the lefthanded relief corps largely has been unimpressive so far. LIkely to see action today are veterans Royce Ring, who gave up a three-run homer to Bobby Kielty last Friday when the Cardinals played the Mets in Port St. Lucie, and Charlie Manning.

Japanese import Kat Maekawa, who has been unscored on in two outings but has walked three  in three innings, also could see action.

Colby Rasmus, who has labored early on, fanning six times in his 20 at-bats and hitting .200, will get the start in center field.

Third baseman David Freese, who has been set back by a left Achilles’ injury, will be on the trip and is available for the first time to pinch hit. First baseman Allen Craig, who has had four hits in six at-bats with three runs batted in, has been rewarded with his first start _ as the designated hitter.

All teams _ even National League teams _ employ the designated hitter in exhibition games now until mid-March _ when NL pitchers begin hitting in games.

The Cardinals’ lineup:

Colby Rasmus cf

Joe Mather 3b

Albert Pujols 1b

Ryan Ludwick rf

Chris Duncan lf

Khalil Greene ss

Allen Craig dh

Jason LaRue c

Joe Thurston 2b

(Kyle Lohse p)