FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2015, file photo, Japan's starter Shohei Otani pitches against South Korea during the first inning of their semifinal game at the Premier12 world baseball tournament at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. A person familiar with the decision says Major League Baseball owners on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, have approved a new posting agreement with their Japanese counterparts in a move that allows bidding to start for coveted pitcher and outfielder Shohei Ohtani. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, File)
ST. LOUIS • The Cardinals, severely hamstrung by how much of a bonus they could offer, are not one of the teams that will be visit with free-agent Shohei Ohtani and were described Sunday night as "out" on the sweepstakes to sign the two-way star.