Worth noting

By Jenifer Langosch

March 7, 2013

• Matt Holliday was not available on Thursday as he left the Cardinals' complex early due to a stomach virus. Holliday is also not scheduled to travel to Viera, Fla., with the club to face the Nationals on Friday.

• The Cardinals recognized Triple-A pitching coach Bryan Eversgerd as the 2012 George Kissell Award winner on Thursday. The honor is given annually to a staff member for excellence in player development. Eversgerd, who served as the organization's Double-A pitching coach last year, is entering his 13th season as a coach within the organization.

• David Freese said he expects to serve as the team's designated hitter against the Nationals on Friday. Freese has not played since landing on his tailbone attempting to make a catch on Monday. He did resume hitting on Thursday after two days off.

• Reliever Marc Rzepczynski pitched a scoreless inning of relief on Thursday. It was the lefty's first appearance in a week. In between, he dealt with a brief bout of left biceps soreness.

Jenifer Langosch is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, By Gosh, It's Langosch, and follow her on Twitter @LangoschMLB.