HOUSTON • Manager Tony La Russa and outfielder Colby Rasmus said Sunday's last-minute change that yanked the second-year slugger out of the lineup was not handled internally as awkwardly as appeared minutes before game time.
"There is no issue," La Russa said. "I feel better about playing (Monday) than I did Sunday. ... I feel like he's got a chance to be a really good player. He's young. He's learning. Even while he's been inconsistent, he's still a good player."
Rasmus returned to the starting lineup for the first time since Aug. 15 on Monday, playing center field and batting seventh against lefty J.A. Happ. Rasmus was initially scheduled to return from a calf strain Sunday, but La Russa rewrote the lineup minutes before first pitch. The manager said the reason was to give the outfielder one more day after checking out healthy enough to play. Sources confirmed that part of the inspiration was Rasmus' previous struggles with umpire Rob Drake behind the plate.
Neither player nor manager acknowledged that was a reason.
Both insisted the switch didn't cause friction.
"From my side, me and Tony, we're on good terms," Rasmus said. "Everything was good and clear. We talked and decided to give (the calf) one more day."
La Russa spoke at length Monday afternoon about the learning process for a young player like Rasmus, 24. The manager said there is more scrutiny on Rasmus because of his history as the team's top prospect, and recognized more attention on their relationship, too. He acknowledged that the two had a heated exchange earlier this season but used it as an example of how he's stressed to Rasmus that criticism is professional and "productive, not personal."
"Colby believes he needs to hit for power to make a mark," La Russa said. "I stress to him if he can hit .300, he'll help us a lot more than that. In that .300, there will be home runs. But there will also be going first to third, stealing bases, using his legs. He's young. In the back of his mind, he knows if he catches one, it's going."
Rasmus said there have been times when he's taken comments or actions more personally than he should, and that he spent much of his rookie season seeking approval. Rasmus had four plate appearances since his last start and never went on the disabled list. The time watching has enhanced his view.
"I believe this is something I've learned this year: to make the team good, you've got to take care of yourself," Rasmus said. "Not let an umpire making a call on me get me to throw a couple at-bats or something that somebody says, going and taking that the wrong way. ... This time that I've had, just being around, I've learned something about respect for the game, for teammates and for coming in and not letting things beyond my control affect the daily work I have to do."
REYES EYES RETURN
Lefty Dennys Reyes threw a brief bullpen session Monday afternoon, and an official said if the reliever experiences no discomfort today he'll probably be activated Wednesday when rosters expand.
The Cardinals wanted to carry an extra pitcher as protection through the final two games before Wednesday, when rosters can expand beyond the 25-man limit. So when they activated reliever Jason Motte (shoulder sprain) on Monday they optioned outfielder Allen Craig to Class AAA Memphis.
BUZZED BIRDS
Hours before Monday's game, the Cardinals gathered around the mirrors in the clubhouse bathroom to perform a ceremonial act of solidarity. They all got their hair buzzed. Inspired, one of the Cardinals said, by Skip Schumaker's combination of bald head and bearded chin, the team tried to shed its difficult trip by getting a new (lack of) hairdo. Even the well-coiffed, like Rasmus and Jeff Suppan, went under the clippers, propelled by peer pressure. Mitchell Boggs was among the most reluctant because he's getting married in December.
"It wasn't much of a choice because it's being part of the team," Boggs said. "We'll see how it works. I told (my fiancée) it'll look a little different."
