My fellow Cardinals fans....

[raiders_umpire]

quick question from a fellow Drays fan. I have the first pick in an upcoming keeper draft starting soon. It is a 15 team league with 7 keepers so there is not a lot of huge talent remaining, but there is one guy that was cut that is a huge possibility for me to draft. His name is Scott Rolen. Does any of the cards fans have any news on his status for this year that is not well known right now? There is some solid pitchers and outfielders available but my team is pretty solid in that section right now so Rolen could be a super nice pick for me if he is healthy this year.

[j_d_mcnugent]

i havent heard much about him. all that i have heard was that he was rehabbing and at that point (which was a couple weeks ago) everything was on schedule. they didnt really mention if he was expected to be ready to open the season though. i think he will be ready for the start of the season or something very close to that. the problem though is that he probably hasnt been able to lift weights or do anything like that. you have to wonder what kind of power he will have and he didnt really have prodigious home run power to begin with. the good news is that i dont think he is rehabbing with the cards (rumor was they f'd something up the first time so he was rehabbing at home with a different group) and the cards havent been shopping for 3b's. he also still figures to bat in an rbi position.

[raiders_umpire]

That is good news to hear. My main need from him would be solid batting average and plenty of RBIs as my other offensive keepers are Vlad, Mcab, Crawford, and Hermida is in my minors as well, ready to come up. We do have a CI spot so Rolen would fit in well there since Mcab can play both OF and 3B for me.

[JTWood]

For whatever it's worth, I have the same problem in my shoulder that he had (torn labrum) but to a lesser degree (mine is non-operable). Last week, I was finally cleared to start lifting weights again, and like jd said, my strength has been sapped. I've lost over 50% of my upper-body strength.

Obviously, Rolen is a physical specimen to marvel at, so I would think his recovery time would be light years faster than mine, but I can tell you now that I will probably not be serving a tennis ball at 100% of my potential until spring of 2007 at the earliest.

Just an fyi. Do with that as you will...

[stevethumb]

that does it..i am taking jtwood off my sleeper list

[JTWood]

that does it..i am taking jtwood off my sleeper list

Insider trading tip: I'm drafting me.

[j_d_mcnugent]

from mlb.com

Rolen update: Head athletic trainer Barry Weinberg checked in on Saturday, expressing optimism about the status of rehabbing third baseman Scott Rolen. Weinberg said Rolen has begun swinging a bat and may ramp up his hitting within a couple of weeks. Rolen is not expected to face significant restrictions at the start of Spring Training, but Weinberg said the medical staff reserves the right to back him off some if need be.