Cardinals open exhibition play against Mets

JUPITER, Fla. -- With both his arm and knee feeling better, Andy Benes is looking for a fresh start after a difficult 2001.

Benes, something of a longshot for a job in the starting rotation, gets the start today in Jupiter, Fla., when the St. Louis Cardinals open the exhibition schedule against the New York Mets.

"It's an opportunity for me to pitch in a game," Benes said. "It was a tough year, coming off knee surgery, but my leg feels better and my arm feels good."

Benes had surgery to remove cartilage in his right knee in November 2000. He was 7-7 with a 7.38 earned run average in 2001, but struggled as the season wore on. He did not pitch after Aug. 30 and was not on the postseason roster.

"I'm starting my 13th major league season and I found out last summer I still have the desire to compete," Benes, 34, said. "I feel more comfortable as a starter because that's mostly what I've been.

"There is a lot of good competition on this team and there are only five positions for starters. But I want to be part of a winning team and I will prepare myself to help the team in any way I can."

Rotation looks full

Matt Morris, Darryl Kile and Woody Williams are the Cardinals' top three pitchers. Benes, Garrett Stephenson, Bud Smith and Rick Ankiel are competing for the other two spots in the rotation.

Stephenson missed all of last season with an elbow injury, and Ankiel spent most of the year in the low minor leagues trying to regain his control. Smith won six games as a rookie in 2001, including a no-hitter at San Diego in September.

After two seasons with Arizona, Benes returned to St. Louis in 2000 and was 12-9. His best season was 1996, during his first stint with the Cardinals, when he went 18-10 with a 3.83 ERA.

Benes and his brother, Alan, worked out during the off-season in St. Louis. Alan Benes, whose promising career has been hurt by injuries, left the Cardinals in the off-season to sign with the Chicago Cubs.

"We talk every other day or so," Andy Benes said. "He's doing fine."

Kile had off-season shoulder surgery, but is expected to be ready by the start of the season.

Morris is scheduled to start Friday against the Mets in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Williams will start Saturday, and Ankiel Sunday against the Montreal Expos at Roger Dean Stadium, which the Cardinals and Expos share.

Smith and Stephenson will both pitch Monday, Smith against the Baltimore Orioles and Stephenson in a B game.

In their first starts, the Cardinals say each pitcher will work two or three innings, up to 50 pitches.

Today, Benes will be followed by Dave Veres, Gene Stechschulte, Josh Pearce, Mike Crudale and Kevin Sheredy for an inning or so apiece.

Dicky Gonzalez will start for the Mets.