it's official

The Cardinals made it official today: They gave Sidney Ponson their No. 5 starting spot when they optioned prospect Anthony Reyes to Triple-A Memphis.

The Cardinals also optioned lefthanders Tyler Johnson and Carmen Cali and catcher Michel Hernandez to their minor league camp.

Plus, manager Tony La Russa said righthander Adam Wainwright, who had also been in contention for the fifth spot, is now trying out for a bullpen job.

La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan want the hard-throwing righty to master a sinking two-seam fastball to go with his rising four-seamer. His attempts to integrate the pitch helped contribute to a somewhat rough spring, though the sinker was far from the only reason for his struggles.

Reyes put up an 8.10 ERA in four games (13 1/3 innings) this spring, serving up four home runs. Early in camp he didn't have a sharp changeup, and toward the end he had difficulty locating both of his fastballs. Nonetheless, he's an outstanding talent and is expected to be a fine Major League starter.

"I think he's going to be a star," said La Russa. "But he still needs to develop some weapons."