JUPITER, Fla. ? (AP) ? The St. Louis Cardinals gave Sidney Ponson their fifth

starting spot on Tuesday when they optioned prospect Anthony Reyes to Triple-A Memphis.

 

The Cardinals also optioned left-handers Tyler Johnson and Carmen Cali and catcher

Michael Hernandez to their minor league camp. Plus, manager Tony La Russa said

right-hander Adam Wainwright, who had also been in contention for the fifth spot, is now

trying out for a bullpen job.

 

Ponson signed a $1 million contract with the Cardinals after being released by the

Baltimore Orioles last September because of alcohol-related problems. He was 7-11 with a

6.21 ERA last year, but won 17 games in 2003.

 

"He's gotten better every time, that's how I've been describing it,'' La Russa said.

"He's got a history of durability and he's done as much in this camp as he could. It's

all ahead of him, though.''

 

La Russa said Reyes, 24, needed to work on pitch selection and concentrate less on

power.

 

"The thing about Anthony is he can be a premier pitcher because he's got premier

stuff,'' La Russa said. "He just needs to keep adding looks to the hitter.''

Not surprising at all.. He's pitched good so far this spring.. While I want to see Reyes get his chance this was a good thing to have.. Rag on Ponson, whatever.. he looks fine with me so far.. will he be able to do it for the Cards when they need him? Who knows.. If he has indeed turned it around I'm gonna love this signing.. if not, it'll take no time for Reyes or Wainwright to be a starter.. Reyes wouldnt be great outta the pen for us mainly because he needs to be starting incase something does indeed (knock on wood) happen. He can be called up in short time and be a starter.. Reyes is working on a new pitch and that's why his numbers are bloated this spring. He's looked good though.. and I'm not even talkin about Wainwright looking impressive..

Good to see Sir Sidney possibly turning a corner