JUPITER, Fla. -- One week away from the Cardinals' season opener in Pittsburgh, the status of reliever Jordan Walden remains murky.
Walden, who has complained of feeling a knot around his right shoulder area, has not pitched in a Grapefruit League game since last Monday. He initially asked the Cardinals to hold him out until at least Tuesday, but did feel improved enough by Sunday afternoon to request the chance to try to return on Monday.
Still, time is running short for Walden to prove he's ready to handle regular-season workload. The Cardinals have four spring games remaining during which to finish their evaluation of a pitcher who spent the final five months of the 2015 season on the disabled list.