Cardinals manager Tony La Russa will be making daily checkups with three core players as the team pushes toward the finish line with 31 games in 31 days and the need to have the best players in each one of them.

Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and Yadier Molina "are in a stretch of playing every day," La Russa said. "They're the ones playing the most. When they need a day, see if they need a day (off) and try to pick a smart day."

La Russa reiterated concern for Pujols on Sunday after describing the first baseman as "not 100 percent." Pujols continued to refuse to blame any physical ailments as his skid reached one for 24 in Sunday's victory. He has been bothered by back stiffness this season and lately has had his left elbow swaddled in ice or a compression sleeve. Pujols also twisted an ankle during a previous road trip.

The manager suggested that his other lineup fixtures are also dogged by some soreness that could morph into injury if left unchecked.

Holliday has been hit by pitches twice on the left hand in the past week, and Molina does not have an experienced backup on the roster in addition to recovering from a sore knee. La Russa said Pujols is on the trainer's report with a variety of concerns that merit daily checkup. Each player has been resistant to a day off as the Cardinals scramble for traction in the postseason race, and that leaves La Russa to police his most prominent players.

"Somebody else has to say something," the skipper said.

"There's no time to cut corners," Holliday said. "Go out there and take care of yourself so you expect to be there every day. There's no time for aching right now. Get out there."

EDMONDS WEIGHs RETIREMENT

Current Cincinnati outfielder and former Cardinals great Jim Edmonds, who is on the disabled list with a strained side, has described this season as probably his last, and Sunday he said the entire season he sat out has made it difficult to return to the game.

"That year off (2009) killed me," Edmonds said. As for retiring at the end of this season, he added: "Yeah, I think so. I don't think my wife would put up with another year."

Edmonds is nine homers shy of 400.

Suppan set for bullpen

Jeff Suppan will join the bullpen this afternoon in Milwaukee, and the righthander's exact role in relief will be developed on the job. La Russa left open the possibility that Suppan could still factor into the starting rotation.

This is the second time this season and with the second team that Suppan goes to the bullpen. With Milwaukee earlier this season, he went 0-1 with a 7.48 ERA in 13 relief appearances after removal from the rotation. Suppan said he never felt comfortable in the long relief role.

"The last time going out into the bullpen, that really wasn't the plan going into the season," Suppan said. "I knew coming here that nothing was guaranteed. ... I'm just looking for a chance to pitch and win."

BIG MAC ECLIPSED

Minnesota designated hitter Jim Thome hit two home runs Saturday to first tie and then surpass Mark McGwire's career total of 583 homers. Thome moved into ninth all-time and put McGwire on the brink of dropping out of the top 10. The closest active player to McGwire's 584 is Manny Ramirez, who is 38 and has 554. The only players younger than 35 who are within 200 of McGwire's total are Albert Pujols (401) and Andruw Jones (406).

"As long as baseball is being played, people are going to be passing you," said McGwire, the Cardinals' first-year hitting coach.

MEMPHIS VIES FOR PLAYOFFS

The Class AAA Memphis affiliate must win today in Iowa to clinch a spot in the Pacific Coast League playoffs. Allen Craig had the game-winning hit in the 15th inning Sunday to force today's winner-take-all game on the final day of the regular season. Iowa would win the playoff berth with a victory.

Dan O'Neill of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.