Skip Schumaker (oblique) is expected to make his rehab assignment next week after taking grounders and swings in extended spring training on Saturday. Schumaker is making a rather quick recovery from his torn oblique muscle. Assuming he avoids a setback, he could return to the team before the end of April.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Friday that second baseman Skip Schumaker (oblique) is close to taking game at bats. The location for those at bats has yet to be determined, but it's most likely to be extended spring training in Jupiter, Florida, or on a minor league rehab assignment with Single-A Palm Beach. He's expected to return to the team before the end of April.

Cardinals placed 2B Skip Schumaker on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 26, with a torn right oblique muscle. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Daniel Descalso and Tyler Greene will share the starting second base job for now. Schumaker took a few swings on Sunday, but his rehab from the back injury will be slow.

Cardinals placed INF-OF Skip Schumaker on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 26, with a torn right oblique muscle. As expected. Schumaker tore his oblique earlier this month and will likely be sidelined until mid-April. While he was competing for the second base job entering camp, he figures to serve in a utility role upon his return.

An MRI confirmed that Skip Schumaker suffered a torn right oblique muscle. Schumaker suffered the injury during Friday's game against the Marlins. Cardinals' manager John Mozeliak said a timetable for his recovery won't be finalized until Tuesday, but he did acknowledge that it's "highly unlikely" he'll be back by Opening Day.

Skip Schumaker is scheduled to undergo an MRI early this week on his strained right oblique. Schumaker suffered the injury during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins and is in danger of having his recovery overlap the beginning of the regular season. "It's going to be a while," the 32-year-old utilityman acknowledged to reporters Sunday in Cardinals camp.

Skip Schumaker is considered ''day to day'' after suffering an oblique injury in Friday's game against the Marlins. Schumaker described the injury as "not good," and confirmed he's dealing with the same oblique that limited him during the postseason. "Our experience with these things is that you're really day to day until you determine what it looks like," GM John Mozeliak said. "Over the next 24 to 72 hours, we'll have a better read on whether it's a short-term or long-term problem. It's too early to tell now."

Skip Schumaker exited Friday's game against the Marlins after suffering an oblique injury on a swing. Schumaker went 0-for-2 before leaving the game. The severity of the injury isn't yet known, but he dealt with an oblique injury during the postseason. Stay tuned for an update on his status.

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Skip Schumaker will receive a base salary of $3 million during his two-year deal with the Cardinals. No word on whether there will be incentives built in, but it's a very reasonable deal given that Schumaker earned $4.7 million over the last two seasons. The 31-year-old batted .283/.333/.352 with two homers and 38 RBI over 95 games in 2011. He's been pegged as a utility player by the Cardinals but could see significant playing time at second base if the team's other options there don't work out.

Cardinals and INF/OF Skip Schumaker avoided arbitration by agreeing to a two-year contract. No word on the terms, but we imagine it will be close to his previous two-year, $4.7 million contract. Schumaker, 31, batted .283/.333/.352 with two homers and 38 RBI over 95 games in 2011. He figures to serve in a super utility role moving forward, backing up around the infield and all three outfield positions.