ST. LOUIS -- During the teams sprint to a finish with 31 games in the final 31 gamesof the season, manager Tony La Russa said he'll be looking for signs of fatigue or extenuating soreness from his three lineup stalwarts -- Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and Yadier Molina.

La Russa repeated concern this morning for Pujols, who is dealing with an array of "ouches". After Saturday's game, Pujols dismissed talk of any ailments. He said his ankle wasn't bother him. He also been receiving treatment for stiffness in his back, and he's had his left elbow swaddled in ice in recent days.

La Russa said Pujols shows up on the trainer's report as somebody "who needs to be checked on every day."

Holliday, too, has had his share of bruises in recent days. The left fielder has taken two pitches off his left hand -- including one off the back of the hand that sent him for X-rays last week.

"Yadi, Matt and Albert are in a stretch of playing everyday," La Russa said, referring not only to the run of consecutive games but also the team's sinking playoff chances. "They play the most. Pick a smart day. If it flares up, get them an extra day. ... You don't ask the guy who are really banged up to (push) themselves.

"We've been losing with those guys playing," La Russa concluded. "We can rest them and try to find a different way to win."

And when it comes to players who denying their injuries or they're in need of a day off or there is an injury in need of attention ...

"Somebody else has got to say something," La Russa said.

He implied he's that somebody.

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