ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak said the extensions given to closer Ryan Franklin and left-handed specialist Trever Miller on Tuesday will enable the team to concentrate on its next set of issues.
The Cardinals want to sign at least three of their own potential free agents: left fielder Matt Holliday, third baseman Mark DeRosa and right-hander Joel Pineiro. Right-hander John Smoltz's contract also expires.
"When you look at your offseason, you always have to allocate time to other things," Mozeliak said. "Knowing what this offseason might look like, it made a lot of sense for us to knock a few things off before we even get there."
Mozeliak didn't rule out more signings before the end of the season.
"I don't have anything pressing at this time, but I couldn't rule out the next 30 days that something might happen," he said.
If the Cardinals continue on their path to the playoffs and enjoy an extended postseason run, players like Holliday, DeRosa and Pineiro could drive up their value with strong performances. The Cardinals could avoid a bidding war for their servies by getting deals done before the free-agent filing period in Novemeber.
"The potential's there for any of that to happen," Mozeliak said. "But the way we're going to look at it is try to do what's fair for us moving forward and what's fair to the player. But there's lots of alternatives."
Other potential free agents are outfielder Rick Ankiel, infielder Khalil Greene, pitcher Todd Wellemeyer, third baseman Troy Glaus and catcher Jason LaRue.
Glaus activated
Glaus was activated from the 60-day disabled list Tuesday and recalled by the Cardinals. Glaus has been on a rehab stint at Class AAA Memphis, where he batted .216 with three home runs and eight RBIs.
"This was the goal all along," Glaus said of being activated. "We obviously wish this would have happened months ago, but yeah, this is what all the work was about --trying to get back here and contribute here."
Glaus wants to play regularly, but manager Tony La Russa has reiterated that DeRosa is the starting third baseman, which reduces Glaus' role to that of a pinch-hitter.
"I want to play and I want to help this team any way I can," Glaus said. "I don't know what that's going to be at this point. I'll find out in the weeks to come."
Glaus has always been a starter, so pinch-hitting would represent a challenge.
"That's something (where) you just have to make an adjustment, try to figure out a routine and a rhythm to get up there and be successful. That's all there is to it," Glaus said. "I'll talk to other guys who have done it ... and see what the program consists of for guys that don't start and go from there."
Glaus, who underwent surgery on his right shoulder in January, still is experiencing some discomfort. He also has battled soreness in his back.
"I feel good," Glaus said. "I'm ready to go. I'll see what I can do to help this team win down the stretch. I can make all the plays (at third). That's not really a concern. I'm doing what I usually do. I've been down there trying to get at-bats to get the swing back right, and it's been pretty good."
Lohse throws
Right-hander Kyle Lohse threw a simulated game Tuesday, facing Glaus and Ankiel. Lohse will throw a bullpen Thursday and be activated Saturday.
"I got done what I wanted to get done," said Lohse, who has been on the disabled list with a left groin strain. "As soon as I'm eligible (to be activated), we'll rock and roll. I'll be fresh the first day I can come off the DL."
After watching Glaus and Ankiel fail to make hard contact, La Russa proclaimed Lohse ready for action.
"I was impressed," La Russa said. "His stuff had good life. His timing and location could be worked on, but I'm impressed with his stuff. I think it's a matter of harnessing it and getting the timing of his delivery down so he can locate it well."
Lohse might return as a reliever, but he prefers to start. The Cardinals signed him to a four-year, $42 million deal at the end of last season to be a starter.
"Whatever the team needs," Lohse said. "I'd love to say I could go out there and finish off the way I started. But the case is we've got four guys that are going good right now and we have a lot of off days. It's unfortunate for myself, but it's good on the other hand that we don't need to rush me back out to start."
Wellemeyer's woes
Wellemeyer was treated rudely in his first rehab assignment Monday for Memphis.
Starting at Nashville, Wellemeyer allowed four runs (earned) on three hits, including a two-run homer to J.J. Hardy, walked two and struck out one in the Redbirds' 6-5 loss.
Wellemeyer will pitch again today, also against Nashville.
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