Worth noting

• After making his spring debut Friday, Oscar Taveras returned to the Cardinals' lineup as the designated hitter Saturday. Having Taveras start consecutive games can help him begin to make up at-bats he missed from a week of not playing. Taveras went hitless in three at-bats.

• Jason Motte, 10 months removed from Tommy John surgery, continues to move closer toward being ready to face hitters for the first time since the procedure. Motte threw another high intensity bullpen session Saturday and could be cleared for live batting practice as early as next week.

• Tyler Lyons' one-inning relief appearance Saturday, manager Mike Matheny said, is not an indication that the Cardinals have stopped looking at him as a starting candidate. Rather, the short stint was the result of the club needing to get several relievers work. In particular, the Cards wanted Zach Petrick, whose only spring appearance came March 2, back on the mound for two innings.

There is plenty of time for Lyons to be stretched out before Opening Day. However, the fact that Lyons is not being scheduled for specific starts like others competing for rotation spots indicates that he is on the outside looking in.