The Cardinals aren't sure how much time Brendan Ryan (above) will miss as his right wrist heals, but they aren't expected to sign Felipe Lopez or trade for a shortstop. Manager Tony La Russa loves Ryan, who won the job a year ago, and has Julio Lugo available if Ryan opens the year on the DL. … The Nationals seem likely to use Chien-Ming Wang as trade bait if he bounces back. They signed him for only one season, meaning he will be an expensive five-plus arbitration case after 2010. … The Rays insist they will try to re-sign prospective free agents Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena. There's no way they keep both, however, and Crawford's value appears beyond what the Rays will pay. … … Former Nationals closer Chad Cordero, attempting a comeback in Seattle, has the most career saves (128) in the Mariners' camp. If he doesn't earn a setup job in front of David Aardsma, he could be shopped elsewhere. … Russell Branyan turned down the Rays before signing with the Indians. This guy has made some shaky decisions, beginning with pricing himself out of a return to the Mariners, with whom he revived his career a year ago. … The Reds have been thrilled with the early work of Aroldis Chapman. He's being shown the ropes by minor league coach Tony Fossas, a Havana native who lasted 12 years in the big leagues as a lefty specialist.