JUPITER, Fla. - Matt Clement made his first start of spring, throwing for the Cardinals' Class AA team in a scrimmage, but Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan is not certain when the righthander will be ready to join the rotation. | MLB page

Duncan compared the progress of Clement, returning from shoulder surgery, to Chris Carpenter rehabilitating from elbow surgery.

"They're not at a place where you can confidently say they're going to be a big part of the rotation," Duncan said. "They're just not at that place. … (Clement) has still got a ways to go before you can sit there and say, yes, he is going to be a part of our rotation."

Duncan agreed that Mark Mulder, who threw well in batting practice Tuesday, is closer to returning than Clement. Mulder, who also had shoulder surgery, could be back by May.

Clement threw 37 pitches in a game pitting Class AA Springfield against Class AAA Memphis. He struggled with his command, and his velocity was in the mid-80s, twice peaking at 86 mph. All of his pitches had tremendous movement, but he was not throwing with the strength or control needed to be effective.

"I definitely want to be higher than it was," Clement said of the velocity. "This is just building up right now. … It was the first step in facing hitters. I can't sit and worry about velocity right now. It's going to be what it's going to be, but I do feel like there's more going to be coming out."

The Cardinals signed Clement to a one-year, $1.5 million contract in the offseason and were optimistic he would be available for opening day. But coming off shoulder surgery and missing the 2006 season, there was a risk, general manager John Mozeliak said.

Clement was one of seven players placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, and he will begin the season in extended spring training. His goal will be to increase his arm strength, command and his velocity.

Ryan's Return Ok'd

Brendan Ryan (sore rib cage muscle) will return to field activities today, the shortstop said. Ryan will play infield and swing in the cages. If that goes well, he'll bat in practice and possibly play Friday.

"Progressing real quick," Ryan said.

The Cardinals will keep D'Angelo Jimenez with the team through the weekend as Ryan will be a day-of-game call for the 25-man roster.

Strained Patience

The seven players the Cardinals put on the disabled list retroactive to March 21 were pitchers Carpenter (elbow), Mulder (shoulder), Clement (shoulder), Joel Pineiro (shoulder), Tyler Johnson (shoulder) and Josh Kinney (elbow) and outfielder Juan Encarnacion (eye). Johnson's strained rotator cuff has not responded well to treatment.

Not on the roster, so not put on the DL, was outfielder Juan Gonzalez. The two-time MVP has been sidelined with an abdominal strain. Mozeliak said a decision needs to be made soon on whether Gonzalez will be given time to heal and play in extended spring.

"It's pretty simple," manager Tony La Russa said. "Get healthy, plays, and he can impress. Can't get healthy. Can't play. Can't impress."