BLOOMINGTON - Eric Haberer's baseball career is in limbo after what the Bloomington High School graduate considered an untimely release by the St. Louis Cardinals organization.

"It's part of the game. The only thing I was upset about was the timing of it," Haberer said of his March 20 release. "It's almost impossible to catch on with another team the last week of spring training."

A left-handed pitcher, Haberer posted a 13-8 record with a 4.32 ERA for the Cardinals' Double A team in Springfield, Mo., in 2007. He allowed 162 hits, walked 72 and struck out 72.

Haberer believes recent changes in the St. Louis front office hurt him.

"I kind of knew it was coming," he said. "I wasn't drafted by who is running the front office now. I wasn't one of their guys."

The 25-year-old Haberer was a third-round draft choice out of Southern Illinois in 2004. In four minor league seasons, he had a 34-28 record and a 3.97 ERA.

Haberer was working out with the Triple A Memphis team at the St. Louis spring training facility in Jupiter, Fla.

"I was a little banged up. My arm didn't feel real good the first couple weeks," said Haberer. "I only threw in one game and didn't give up any runs so I don't think my performance had any effect good or bad. I think it was determined by the front office I wasn't going to make a team."

Haberer was primarily a starter in the minors but was considered better suited for relief if he made the major leagues.

"That's the most frustrating thing," he said. "Everybody told me I would become a reliever at some point. I've been somewhat successful as a starter, but I was always tough against left-handers. I thought maybe this was the year they tried me out in the bullpen to see what I could do."

The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder would like to sign with another team.

"I'm trying but it's not looking too good," Haberer said. "It's the worst time of year to get released because everybody's got their roster set. It could still happen, but the longer it takes the less likely it is."