6/10 03:08: Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals would prefer to import someone who has been active this season rather than an idle free agent such as Pedro Martinez, Braden Looper, Paul Byrd or John Smoltz.

Millwood from the Orioles may be too expensive. Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher Brian Bannister is believed to be available for the right price.

6/9: St. Louis Cardinals GM John Mozeliak remains confident in his starting rotation, but manager Tony La Russa may not. The team has been going though a series of starting pitchers since Brad Penny and Kyle Lohse have been on the disabled list.

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said “La Russa stopped short of advocating the club pursue outside options, but said he expected to discuss the availability of former Redbird Jeff Suppan after the former postseason hero was released Monday by Milwaukee.”

Other possibilities to help the Cardinals rotation include John Smoltz, Braden Looper and Kevin Millwood. There is no word if talks have occurred between St. Louis and either of those pitchers.

The team is hoping for Penny to return in the next 2-3 weeks and have Lohse back by August.