"As long as Rick Ankiel remains on the disabled list, Colby Rasmus will retain status as an everyday player.

The rookie Rasmus returned to center field and the No. 2 spot in the order Saturday against Cincinnati Reds righthander Aaron Harang. Underscoring his awareness in that role, Rasmus drag bunted for a hit with Skip Schumaker already on base in the first inning. The Cardinals failed to score but Rasmus deepened an impression.

"He's going to get a chance every day. He's going to get a lot of time. To this point he's done a lot with the opportunities he's received," manager Tony La Russa said.

Rasmus has started 21 of his team's 31 games, including 11 in center field. He entered Saturday carrying what La Russa considered a misleading .247 average that included a .260 mark (19 for 73) in his starts.

"He's hit long fly balls, which suggests his swing has a little tilt in it. But a lot of guys can say that," La Russa said. "Overall, he's taking good at-bats and hitting the ball hard without a lot to show for it. I like the way he's going about it."

Rasmus entered Saturday's game in a four-for-26 skid that had dropped his average from .294. One of his hits was his first career major-league home run May 1 against the Washington Nationals.

Hurting Rasmus' overall average was a .105 mark (two for 19) against lefthanded pitching. La Russa acknowledged Saturday his intention to start Shane Robinson on Tuesday against Pittsburgh Pirates lefthander Zach Duke.

The Cardinals remain hopeful Ankiel will return from the disabled list when eligible. Ankiel was put on the DL retroactive to May 5 with right shoulder stiffness after colliding with the Busch Stadium outfield wall a day earlier.

RYAN ON REHAB

Infielder Brendan Ryan sprinted Saturday for the first time since sustaining a left hamstring strain in Atlanta and is scheduled to begin a brief rehab assignment Tuesday with Class AAA Memphis.

Ryan sprinted under supervision of strength and conditioning coach Pete Prinzi and reported no complications. He is eligible to come off the disabled list May 15."