The health of a couple of Cardinals players is on the mind of manager Tony La Russa. The skipper said on Friday that Joe Mather can make the team out of spring training if he stays healthy. La Russa also said Jaime Garcia could be the fifth starter for the team when it breaks camp, but only if it was the best thing for his well-being and career, as Garcia recovers from Tommy John surgery. The Redbirds are gearing up for their first spring game, which will be Thursday against the Mets in Port St. Lucie.

Mark McGwire says he's saddened by the book his brother Jay is releasing, which is all about his steroid use. Jay is Mark's younger brother and a former bodybuilder, but the siblings have been estranged for years. "Mark and Me: Mark McGwire and the Truth Behind Baseball's Worst-Kept Secret" is scheduled to be released on Monday. 

Blues forward Cam Janssen will miss the first five games after the Olympic break due to a suspension.  The NHL banned him for five games Wednesday because of a hit on Washington Capitals forward Matt Bradley February 13th. Because of the two-week break for the Olympics,  Janssen's hearing was delayed until yesterday.

In College Sports …
The Billikens will host Duquesne tonight in a men's basketball tilt at Chaifetz Arena.  The Billikens are 18-and-9 overall and 9-and-4 in the Atlantic-10, while the Dukes are 15-and-12 and 6-and-7. Also tonight, the Illinois men's basketball team hosts Minnesota at Assembly Hall. Illinois is 18-and-10 overall and 10-and-5 in the Big Ten. 

The Missouri baseball team is in Auburn, Alabama to play in this weekend's Auburn Classic. Mizzou will take on Auburn this afternoon at 3 p.m.  MU will wrap up the weekend stint Sunday against Boston College at 11 a.m.  Missouri kicked off the 2010 season last weekend by going 2-and-1 at the Cactus Classic in Arizona.

The Missouri men's basketball team heads to Manhattan, Kansas tonight to face sixth-ranked Kansas State. The Tigers are coming off a 92-63 blowout of Colorado at home on Wednesday. Mizzou is 21-and-7 on the season, including 9-and-4 in the Big 12.  Hear the play by play Saturday on 99.9 FM KFAV