Joe Strauss Visits With Bernie Miklasz 1380 AM (Friday 2-13-09 Insider)

• Skip Schumaker will be this springs hot topic, like Brian Barton last year.
• Tony LaRussa already praising Schumaker at second.
• Chris Carpenter mixed in some breaking pitches, not much velocity.
• Mitch Boggs complaining about shoulder soreness, will be examined Saturday.
• Joel Pineiro has not arrived yet, pull between Jose Oquendo and LaRussa over the World Baseball Classic.
• Don't be surprised if Albert Pujols pulls out of WBC after meeting with team coaches and officials.
• Joe Thurston best defensive second baseman in camp and can play various other positions. LaRussa still not confident in Brendan Ryan.
• Chris Duncan coming off the bench, fourth or fifth outfielder and behind Pujols. Dangerous hitter when healthy.
• Chris Perez has lost weight. He has had his last two throwing sessions cut short, cause his mechanics are off. His left foot is still bothering him.
• Cardinals have been speaking with Jason Isringhausen's reps. If not picked up, he most likely will be in camp in the next coming weeks.

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