(AP) -- St. Louis shortstop Rafael Furcal and his injured elbow may not be ready for Saturday's first game of spring training.
 
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny insists that shouldn't be much of a concern.
 
Furcal is working his way back from a strained elbow ligament suffered near the end of last season.

There was a concern that he'd have to undergo offseason Tommy John surgery, but Furcal chose to try rehab instead.
 
A 13- year veteran, Furcal hit .264 in 121 games for the Cardinals last season, batting primarily in the leadoff spot.

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