Worth noting

• A day after informing the players of the moves, the Cardinals officially announced that they had reassigned Michael Wacha to Triple-A, optioned Victor Marte to Triple-A and optioned Eduardo Sanchez to Triple-A.

While Marte and Sanchez are expected to begin the year in Memphis' bullpen, Wacha's assignment is still to be determined. He will start in either the Double-A or Triple-A rotation, though manager Mike Matheny hinted toward the latter being the more likely destination.

"We believe," Matheny added, "that his talent has shown that he's not far."

• Wanting to get extra at-bats for position players, the Cardinals reverted back to using the designated hitter on Friday. Matheny said the club is nearing the point where it will eliminate the DH use permanently.

• Team USA and Team Puerto Rico are scheduled to meet in a World Baseball Classic elimination game on Friday night in Miami. That means that the Cardinals are about to get at least one of their players back in camp. Either Mitchell Boggs (USA) or Carlos Beltran and Yadier Molina (Puerto Rico) will be returning to Jupiter this weekend.

"I never want to root against our guys," Matheny said, "but it will be nice to have some of the other players back."

The winner of Friday's Classic game advances to the championship round in San Francisco.

• Football legend Joe Namath threw out a ceremonial first pitch at Roger Dean Stadium before the start of Friday's game.