Extended spring looks like best option for Mulder

If numbers tell the story, Mark Mulder might be best served to spend some time facing hitters and building arm strength in extended spring training in Jupiter, Fla.

Making his second start for Class AAA Memphis, Mulder allowed nine hits and seven runs, all earned, in six innings Monday night in a 7-6 loss to visiting Colorado Springs. Mulder walked two, struck out four and allowed five runs in the first two innings.

Mulder still has two starts to make before the Cardinals must make a decision on whether to promote him to the major-league rotation or dispatch him to extended spring. Mulder, understandably, wants to be in the majors, but it's hard to justify putting him there when he's getting rocked by Class AAA competition.

In two starts for the Redbirds, he's 0-2 with a 13.03 ERA. Numbers, of course, never tell the whole story. But there seems to be little positive news that can be taken from a start in which Mulder was again shellacked.

With the Cardinals' rotation helping the team get away to a robust 21-12 start, there simply isn't a need for Mulder. And here's another thought: After two shoulder surgeries, is it possible Mulder might never be ready?