ST. LOUIS -- With his hand no longer in a hard cast, shortstop Jhonny Peralta is relocating his rehab work to St. Louis, where he arrived on Monday in time to participate in the Cardinals' pregame home opener festivities.
Nearing the five-week mark in his ongoing recovery from left thumb surgery, Peralta has replaced the cast with a splint, which doctors anticipate will be needed to stabilize his surgically repaired thumb for up to another two weeks. Once it's removed, Peralta can begin the strength testing that will give the Cardinals a better indication of how much longer his recovery will take.
When Peralta had the procedure done on March 10, the Cardinals estimated he would be out 10-12 weeks.
"I feel pretty good," Peralta said on Monday. "The doctor says there is nothing to worry about, that everything looks good. Now we have to work out and rehab."
Peralta remained at the Cardinals' Jupiter, Fla., complex after camp broke and has been active with cardio work and lower body exercises while his hand continues to heal.
Here are additional injury updates from the trainer's room:
• Marco Gonzales continues to confer with his advisor and family members to determine what route to take to address a left elbow ligament. General manager John Mozeliak said that Gonzales is deciding between undergoing Tommy John surgery or a more conservative rehab plan. Mozeliak was unsure when Gonzales would make his final decision.

• Ruben Tejada (left quad strain) may be ready to begin a Minor League rehab assignment by the end of the week, Mozeliak said. He added that Tejada, who is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list on Saturday, is already "moving fairly well."

• Tommy Pham (left oblique strain) is expected to begin outfield work again soon while he awaits clearance to resume swinging. The Cardinals are hopeful that Pham can begin a rehab assignment late next week. Pham injured himself on Opening Day.