Worth noting

• Position players participated in an intrasquad game for about an hour on Friday afternoon. Triple-A pitching coach Bryan Eversgerd, a left-hander, threw to all the hitters, most of whom took two at-bats in the game. Both Ty Wigginton and Rob Johnson deposited balls over the wall. Johnson also recorded a double.

• Rafael Furcal served as the designated hitter in the intrasquad game and had two hits in three at-bats. When he begins playing in Grapefruit League games, he'll likely stay in that DH role. The Cardinals continue to limit Furcal's exposure on defense due to his sore right elbow.

• Asked if he'll use a near-regular season lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League opener, manager Mike Matheny said that "it's going to be pretty close." He did not confirm whether or not Matt Carpenter will make his spring debut at second base in the team's first game.

• In what was essentially a roster formality, the Cardinals have placed Chris Carpenter on the 60-day disabled list. That clears a spot on the organization's 40-man roster should the club want to add someone. Carpenter announced earlier this month that he is out indefinitely with continued irritation in his cervical spine and right shoulder.