Worth noting

• Third baseman David Freese told manager Mike Matheny via text on Monday that he had another good workout down at the Cardinals' Jupiter (Fla.) complex. Matheny said Freese is tentatively scheduled to play in extended spring training games on Friday and Saturday, if not earlier.

"We're going to push him a little bit and see how he responds," said Matheny, who added that the club is still hopeful Freese will be activated off the disabled list for the April 8 home opener.

• According to BaseballReference.com, Monday's season opener marked the 20,000th game in St. Louis franchise history. That string of games goes back to 1882, when the Cardinals were known as the St. Louis Brown Stockings.

• Former Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who now works in an official capacity with Major League Baseball, was in attendance for Monday's game at Chase Field.