NEW YORK • The encouraging reports from Kyle Lohse's rehab start and his planned return to the rotation will not rewrite the Cardinals' shopping list as the trade deadline approaches this weekend, general manager John Mozeliak said.
Nor is the team looking for a "Band-Aid" for its ailing arms or a fill-in for injured third baseman David Freese.
"If we were going to go down that route, we should have done it — in hindsight — a month ago," Mozeliak said Tuesday in the visitors' dugout at Citi Field.
Mozeliak described how the team would benefit from the addition of a starting pitcher. The Cardinals' GM declined to mention specific players — tampering rules forbid teams from talking about players on other teams — but Cleveland's Jake Westbrook fits the profile of a depth pitcher who is available to the highest bidder before Saturday's non-waiver trade deadline.
The Cardinals have more options this season than last when all the attention was targeted on acquiring an outfielder who could bat cleanup. The best fit, however, has already been traded, as Atlanta swung a deal with Toronto for shortstop Alex Gonzalez. Other infielders of interest mostly come at a high price.
"I just don't think there's a deal out there to be had," Mozeliak said when asked about the infielders who could change the team for 2010 and beyond with their contracts.
Lohse joined the team in New York and shared his enthusiasm for his start with Class AAA Memphis on Monday. Lohse will throw again for the Redbirds on Saturday. The Cardinals plan for Lohse to make two more rehab starts before joining the rotation, pitching coach Dave Duncan said.
Asked if Lohse's return changed his perception of what the team needs at the deadline, manager Tony La Russa said, "It's only one pitcher."
Mozeliak elaborated.
"I don't necessarily think it has a lot of impact on how we look at the trading deadline," Mozeliak said. "Just trying to make sure that we explore a lot of things and exhaust a lot of things. Having Mr. Lohse be the linchpin in any of that would not be a fair way to characterize (it)."
JAY PLAYS, RASMUS struggles
Rookie Jon Jay started his fourth consecutive game and La Russa described how difficult it is to keep the outfielder out of the lineup.
"The way he's going, wherever you put him, he's been a plus," La Russa said. On Tuesday, that wherever was center field. Usual starter Colby Rasmus is struggling with 23 strikeouts in his last 22 games and a .103 average since the All-Star break.
"He's got to clear his head up," La Russa said. "But at the same time, he's got to play some. He just doesn't feel right at the plate."
BLAIR NEARS DEAL
Supplemental-round pick Seth Blair, a righthanded pitcher, is close to a deal with the Cardinals, a team official confirmed. The contract is expected to be finalized shortly, and he'll become the first of the Cardinals' top five picks to sign. Blair, taken 46th overall, went 12-1 with a 3.64 ERA in his junior season at Arizona State. He has not pitched since the College World Series, and that could influence his first assignment.
The club continues to be optimistic about signing first-round pick Zack Cox, a third baseman from Arkansas, though several officials have described a deal that will be completed closer to Aug. 15.
STAVInoha ON REHAB
Outfielder Nick Stavinoha began a rehab assignment Monday night with Class AAA Memphis. He started at designated hitter and went one for three with a double.
Stavinoha, who had suffered a separated right shoulder, is set to play some first base, though he has yet to unleash a throw from the outfield. Stavinoha has 20 days to complete his rehab assignment. Mozeliak said the pinch hitter's availability would be re-evaluated toward the end of this week.
