CINCINNATI — Third baseman Troy Glaus returned to the Cardinals' mix Tuesday. What that means remains open to interpretation. His belongings yanked off the transport truck moments before the Cardinals departed for the current road trip, Glaus insists he is ready to play after being slowed by a strained left side.

He also acknowledged his situation remains largely out of his control.

"I'm the wrong guy to ask. I don't write out the lineup card. I feel fine. I'm ready to play," Glaus said. "If they choose to put me in there, they do. If they don't, they don't. That I can't control."

Glaus has been limited to 17 at-bats spread over eight games since returning from two minor-league rehab assignments. Until his recent strain, manager Tony La Russa left open the possibility of his inclusion on the postseason roster.

That chance appears compromised by recent events.

"He's in a tough spot," La Russa said. "It has been a tough spot. Every time it gets better he takes a step backwards."

WAINWRIGHT FINE, HE SAYS

Adam Wainwright threw a regularly scheduled side session Tuesday — three days after his 130-pitch win in the Cardinals' division clincher over the Colorado Rockies.

Wainwright admitted to general body soreness immediately after the marathon start but insisted all systems were go during his side throw. "It felt completely normal," he said.

Wainwright said he did not hear for himself teammate Chris Carpenter's endorsement of him for the National League Cy Young Award but that he was overwhelmed by the gesture from the pitcher believed to be his closest competition.

"I was told about it. It's amazing. It shows exactly what kid of leader he is and what kind of character he has," Wainwright said. "It's unbelievable he would say something like that. I'm very appreciative."

LA RUSSA, EDMONDS RECONCILE

La Russa spoke for the first time Tuesday about his meeting Sept. 19 with former Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds at the Gold Glover's St. Louis restaurant, F15teen. La Russa arrived unannounced at a gathering of Cardinals and Cubs players hosted by Edmonds, who split his last two seasons between the teams plus the San Diego Padres.

Those who attended said La Russa defused an uncomfortable moment by offering Edmonds a bottle of wine.

The two had been estranged since La Russa's suggestion that Edmonds be treated as any other visiting player upon his return to Busch Stadium in July 2008 as a Cub. The two shared a cordial conversation before La Russa left.

La Russa said he was inspired to make the gesture after watching a taped interview of Edmonds' visit to the Fox Midwest booth during the previous night's game. La Russa noticed Edmonds declined at least two chances to take a shot at his former manager.

"The bottom line was during the time he was here, my relationship with Jim was as personal as with any other player," La Russa said. "I've never forgotten that. I had a wonderful relationship with him. I was very honest with him. If there was something that I didn't like, I would call him into my office. He said it was like going into the principal's office. But he felt like I had his back. And in many, many cases he had my back."

La Russa admitted the falling out "pained me," adding about their relationship, "It was more personal with him than some others. That shows how I feel about him. That's not going to change."

HOLLIDAY RETURNS TO LINEUP

Left fielder Matt Holliday returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing Sunday's game in Colorado with a severe chest cold. While Holliday reappeared in his familiar cleanup role, catcher Yadier Molina missed his second consecutive start and is a question for the remainder of the series after taking a foul ball off the left knee Saturday. Shortstop Brendan Ryan also was held out after taking a pitch off his right index finger Sunday.