JUPITER, Fla. _The Cardinals have just trimmed nine players from camp, including their top draft picks of the last two seasons _ righthander Shelby Miller (2009) and third baseman Zack Cox (2010).

Miller worked two scoreless innings in his only spring outing and Cox had a double and a single in his lone start.

"The best thing I got from this was experience." said Cox, "and that's a very valuable thing for me _ to come in here, get that experience and learn a lot."

University of Arkansas product Cox, who was on the 40-man roster, was optioned back to the minors.

The other eight cut were non-roster players returned to the minor-league camp. They were Miller; righthanded pitchers Scott McGregor and Kevin Thomas; catchers Nick Derba, Steven Hill, Audry Perez and Robert Stock and infielder Donovan Solano.

Fifty-two players remain in camp.