Brian L

Hunter

Hunter stipulated he will allow the Cardinals no more than a month to promote him, trade him, or release him. There’s no room for him in the already-overloaded Triple-A Memphis outfield.

Since he’s not even a great pinch-runner these days, the 32-year-old Hunter isn’t worthy of a bench spot. He’ll be behind Brian Buchanan and Gene Kingsale in the competition to become San Diego’s fifth outfielder.

''I’m feeling better,’' Hunter said. ''I feel better than yesterday. That’s all I can say right now. I don’t know how long it takes.’'

Tom Goodwin and Hunter signing on back-to-back days? Maybe it’s time for a Lance Johnson comeback. And what’s Milt Cuyler doing these days anyway? The Royals already have David DeJesus, Matt Stairs, Terrence Long, Eli Marrero, Abraham Nunez and Aaron Guiel, so there’s no way that Hunter is going to make the team.

The 33-year-old Hunter was 3-for-12 with a couple of walks. He never had a chance.

''I went through full batting practice,’' Hunter said Saturday. ''I threw for the first time and ran hard today. Today is my biggest improvement since the injury.’'

Hunter was hitting just .209 for the Padres this spring. It looks like he’s done, but the Cardinals could keep him as a fifth outfielder and pinch-runner. With Robinson out of the mix, So Taguchi is the fourth outfielder.

Hunter is upset that the Cardinals had no real intention of giving him a chance to compete for a job after acquiring him, and he doesn’t want to report to Triple-A. Unfortunately for him, he is a Triple-A player there days.