Around NL Central Spring Training, 3/15: Pujols Is Back, Berkman Hopes To Be

Cardinals: After missing nearly a week with weakness in his lower back, Albert Pujols returned to the lineup for the Cardinals Saturday, going 2-for-2 with a double and a walk. Pujols told Steve Dorsey that he could have played last week, but “I don’t want to take something like this into the season and be bothering me the rest of the year.”

Astros: Lance Berkman, who underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies in his knee last week, has set a goal to be ready by Opening Day, but isn’t making any promises. The team is prepared to use Geoff Blum in his place until he’s ready. Blum hit .247/.314/.367 for the Astros last season, so that’s a pretty severe dropoff.

Brewers: Through three spring training outings, lefty reliever Mitch Stetter has a 30.86 ERA and has allowed eleven baserunners while recording just seven outs. He allowed four earned runs on four hits and two walks in .2 innings of work Sunday, but manager Ken Macha said not to worry, as there were a lot of bloopers and jam shots hit against him. Stetter is still likely to make the team, but he has options remaining and the Brewers have a bit of a roster crunch going on, so it’s possible he could be sent to the minors to open the season.

Cubs: Aramis Ramirez, who missed two months last season with a dislocated throwing shoulder, said he felt something in the joint on a throw to first Saturday, and isn’t expected to throw again until sometime Monday or Tuesday.

Reds: Brandon Phillips, who had been off to an 0-for-14 start this spring, finally broke out Sunday, going 2-for-3 with an RBI single, a walk and a solo home run. Phillips, Joey Votto and Drew Stubbs entered the game a combined 2-for-45 this spring, but combined for five hits on the day.

Pirates: 24-year-old top prospect Brad Lincoln, who posted a 3.37 ERA between AA and AAA last season, may contribute to the Pirates soon, but won’t make the Opening Day roster. Lincoln was one of seven players cut from Pirates camp Monday morning.