Injured Garcia pleased with throwing session

ST. LOUIS -- While most of the attention from Friday afternoon's live batting practice was directed to Allen Craig, the first baseman wasn't the only Cardinals player to benefit from the session.

After 15 to 20 warmup tosses, left-hander Jaime Garcia stepped onto the Busch Stadium mound to throw about 22 pitches -- 14 fastballs with a few changeups and sinkers -- facing mostly Craig and then catcher Rob Johnson.

"Obviously I wasn't trying to do too much, but the intensity goes up as soon as you get a hitter in there," Garcia said. "It was just trying to get a feel for things. I was pleased with the way things went."

Garcia had surgery in late May to repair a labrum tear in his left shoulder. He started nine games this season for the Cardinals before increasing pain from the injury ended his season.

The 26-year-old lefty estimated that he will repeat the session in a few days, and he does not expect to throw a bullpen session in between.

"It was a good first live BP, and I'm excited about it," Garcia said. "I'm excited that Craig felt good and he looks good. I thought he looked really good swinging the bat. It's a good first time out there."