Boggs showing signs of progress at Triple-A

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals have not explicitly stated what it will take for Mitchell Boggs to earn his spot back in the St. Louis bullpen. But the right-hander -- who has not allowed a run in five relief appearances since being demoted -- appears to be moving closer to forcing the organization to make a decision on his placement.

Boggs tossed his most recent scoreless inning on Monday, working around a walk in an 18-pitch frame. He has allowed three hits, walked two and struck out four in his five Triple-A innings. He is, though, still working through some efficiency troubles, as three of Boggs' five innings have required at least 20 pitches.

Manager Mike Matheny, who said he has been in touch with Boggs since sending the right-hander out, said that he has been encouraged by both the results and the process behind them.

"It sounds like he has made a couple of good mechanical adjustments," Matheny said. "The reports from the people who have been seeing him is that it looks like he is in a real good spot. He's an established Major League player, so it's not an easy assignment. It seems like he is happy with how he's progressed. It's still yet to be seen how this all plays out, but he's going about this the right way."