"John Smoltz has done enough in two starts to firm a spot in the Cardinals' rotation.

More impressively, he has allowed the club to ponder the possibility of a return engagement for 2010.

With Joel Piñeiro and Todd Wellemeyer pending free agents, general manager John Mozeliak acknowledged Tuesday the organization projects one of its younger pitchers such as Mitchell Boggs or Jaime Garcia will assume one vacancy. With the club committing $28 million next season to Chris Carpenter, Kyle Lohse and Adam Wainwright, a one-year arrangement with a veteran pitcher may work well should the club not retain Piñeiro.

"It's a great point," Mozeliak said about suggestion of a fit. "Clearly what he's done as a starter warrants more opportunities. At some point, we're going to have to do what's best for the club when we reach the postseason. Obviously a five-game series looks different from a seven. I'm just happy he's out there pitching well and able to do what he's doing.""