Larry

Walker

Walker admits chronic pain in his shoulder has been bothering him since the last week of March, and has contributed to his sagging power numbers (just nine home runs). Rene Reyes, who has started two consecutive games, would be the primary beneficiary if Walker goes on the DL, and worth a pickup.

Walker has a deep bone bruise in his knee, which is considered minor.

Walker said he first felt something three days before, but tried to fight through it initially. Now the plan is for him to sit out another day or two of drills. ''It’s just stuff you can put in small print,’' he told reporters. ''It’s really no big deal. We’ll see. I’ll come in tomorrow and get treated again, but it’s better than it was two days ago.’'

''I know retirement lies around the corner,’' Walker said. ''I’m going to play this year and see what happens.’' Assuming the Cardinals don’t pick up a $15 million option for 2006, Walker will become a free agent after the season. He probably isn’t very interested in DHing for an AL team even though that likely would extend his career.

Leave Walker active until you’re sure he won’t be playing. Walker’s been too healthy so far this season; maybe a little nagging injury is all he needs to improve on his 863 OPS.

''I think he needs to go to a quiet place and get really reflective, and decide what he wants to do with the rest of his athletic career and the rest of his life,’' Hurdle said. Walker, hitting .276 with 13 home runs and 69 RBI, has two years and $26 million remaining on his contract, but continues to be bothered by nagging injuries. Walker isn’t planning on retiring, and it will be hard for the Rockies to trade him with his contract, injury history, and poor season, so Hurdle, knowing he’s stuck with Walker, is attempting to motivate him to come back strong in 2004.

Walker’s rehab from knee and shoulder surgeries is going well, and he appears committed to entering spring training in top condition after a disappointing 2003 season. “I saw him before I left and he looked like he already has lost 20 pounds since the end of the season,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “He was in great shape.”

“When I got down here and started taking BP, [my shoulder] got a little sore,” Walker said. “So we’re going to ease into it. There’s no sense rushing it.” You know the drill with Walker by now.

Walker is coming off surgery to clean up a tear in his labrum and repair a painful biceps tendon. He’s currently scheduled to hit fifth this season.

“I’m just being cautious,” Walker said. “If there was a problem, I wouldn’t be out here (for batting practice). I’d be in the clubhouse getting treatment. There’s still a long way to go. We’ve got plenty of time.” The fewer games Walker plays in during the spring, the fewer body parts he can injure before the start of the regular season.