"Left fielder Matt Holliday pronounced himself fit for duty and said he fully expects to be part of the Cardinals' starting lineup Sunday against San Francisco Giants lefthander Barry Zito.

"It's what they told you. I'm ready to go," Holliday said before the Cardinals played the Giants on Saturday night.

Actually, manager Tony La Russa might have been more blunt with Holliday than he was with media. La Russa described Holliday as available to pinch-hit Saturday night and a possibility to start Sunday, nine days after Holliday underwent an appendectomy.

"We'll see how he feels (Sunday)," La Russa said. "I think it's 50-50 he may be able to play."

Holliday has missed seven starts since contributing three hits, two RBIs and a go-ahead home run in the Cardinals season opener against San Diego. Hours later he experienced increased discomfort in his lower abdomen, called team trainers and was sent to a hospital. The club postponed a roster move in hopes its cleanup hitter would recover in time to rejoin the lineup no later than this week's series against Arizona.

By successfully completing a series of drills in addition to some aggressive batting practice, Holliday convinced club officials he could start Sunday.

The Cardinals desperately require an infusion of power. Minus Holliday's performance March 31, they had managed one homer and eight extra-base hits in 234 at-bats entering Saturday's game.

By comparison, the Cardinals allowed seven home runs among 22 extra-base hits in their first seven games.

The Cardinals entered Saturday's play last in the National League in runs (19), last in slugging percentage (.282) and 14th in on-base percentage (.301) while also saddled with its most double plays (11). They stranded 51 runners in their first seven games, more than five other teams despite their anemic percentages.

La Russa unveiled a unique, lefthanded-heavy lineup against Giants righthander Matt Cain. Second baseman Skip Schumaker appeared in the leadoff role as Ryan Theriot sat."