ST. LOUIS • New Cardinals manager Mike Matheny reached out to Dave Duncan on Sunday night to make sure the longtime pitching coach knew there was a spot waiting for him on the coaching staff, if he wanted it.

"I wanted him to feel comfortable if he felt like he wanted somebody else, that he could make that decision," Duncan told The Post-Dispatch this afternoon. "He assured me that he wants me to be a part of what he's going to be doing there. ...

"My intentions are to come back. I'll be there."

Unlike the other members of Tony La Russa's coaching staff from this past season, Duncan had a multi-year deal with the Cardinals. His contract runs through 2012.

Matheny told Duncan that his responsibilities on his staff would be the same as they were with La Russa.

Duncan took a leave of absence during this past season to be with his wife, Jeanine, as she recovered from brain surgery. The organization has offered Duncan as much time as he and his family needs, and Matheny reiterated on Monday morning that they would wait for Duncan to consider his wife's health before announcing his return.

"Right now, I'm really optimistic about that," Duncan said. "I feel pretty good about it. I've made the organization aware that could change, and that obviously family is the priority. I'm real optimistic that I can be there (for the Cardinals) and do whatever is asked of me."

Duncan said he did not look at the list of six finalists for the job and guess based on the individual if he would return. He did not expect the Cardinals to include him in their search or ask his opinion on individual candidates.

"My thoughts were about my situation," he said. "I don't know how long I'm going to do this and if I have a chance to win, I want to do everything I can to make that happen. We have a chance to win. Those are my thoughts."