Grichuk says injured back is improving

ST. LOUIS -- For the first time since suffering a lower back strain while squatting 265 pounds in the weight room on April 17, Cardinals outfielder Randal Grichuk took the field on Tuesday. He played catch for a while and then went into the batting cages to take some swings off the tee, doing that for a second day in the row.

"It's getting better day by day," Grichuk said after the work. "I'm being careful, but off the tee I felt pretty good. I was probably giving it 75-80 percent."

Grichuk is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list on Saturday, but he will not be ready by that point. He needs to spend some time out on a Minor League rehab assignment, which has not yet been scheduled. Grichuk said his back is still bothersome when he bends over.

"You never want to go on the DL, but I'm trying to get better, get healthy, get back and be ready," he said. "Anytime you're hurt, you kind of have those doubts about how long it's going to take for you to come back. I'm just definitely not trying to think about it and stay positive. For me, it's been good because each day I've been getting better and better."