Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals and Skip Schumaker are close to agreeing on a two-year contract. Schumaker is arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter, so the deal would keep him in St. Louis through his first year of free agency. The 31-year-old utility man batted 283/.333/.352 with two homers and 38 RBI over 95 games in 2011.

According to Brian Stull of ESPN 101 in St. Louis, the Cardinals will soon announce a deal for Skip Schumaker. Schumaker was a potential non-tender candidate this winter after batting just .283/.333/.352 with two homers and 38 RBI over 95 games in 2011. But the Cardinals have some available cash to spend with Albert Pujols departing and consider the 31-year-old a useful utilityman.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak projects Skip Schumaker as a "super utility" player next season. It's unlikely the Cards would be willing to pay Schumaker what he'd get in his final year of arbitration, but they'd like to bring him back on a lesser deal. Mozeliak wants to give Daniel Descalso a shot at the second base job, which means Schumaker would back up there and at all three outfield positions. He batted .283/.333/.352 with two homers and 38 RBI while playing 95 games (starting 89) at second base and 40 (starting five) in the outfield this season.

Skip Schumaker will start in center field Thursday in Game 6 of the World Series. Schumaker also drew the nod in Game 5 over Jon Jay. The 31-year-old ultilityman is 7-for-14 with two doubles and four RBI so far in this 2011 postseason. He hits right-handers well, and will be facing Texas righty Colby Lewis in Game 6 on Thursday night.

Skip Schumaker will make the start in center field and bat eighth in Game 5 of the World Series against the Rangers on Monday night. He'll start in place of Jon Jay, who is hitless over 14 at-bats during the World Series. Schumaker, who was left off the NLCS roster due to an oblique injury, struck out in his only plate World Series plate appearance back in Game 2. Otherwise, the Cardinals will use the same lineup as Game 4, including Nick Punto at second base.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is viewing Skip Schumaker more as a bench guy for the World Series than a starter at second base. Schumaker missed the NLCS with a strained oblique, and while he's feeling good enough to be added to the World Series roster, it sounds like he's not at the point where La Russa trusts him in a starting role just yet. "I wouldn't hesitate to play him at second, but I'm not sure I will," La Russa said. Nick Punto is starting at second base in Game 1.

The Cardinals have added Skip Schumaker to the roster for the World Series against the Rangers. As expected, he'll take the place of outfielder Adron Chambers. Schumaker missed the NLCS with an oblique injury, but went 6-for-10 with two doubles and three RBI during the NLDS against the Phillies. The 31-year-old utility man is capable of playing second base and all three outfield positions.

Skip Schumaker (oblique) is expected to be added to the Cardinals' World Series roster. Rosters aren't due until Wednesday, so we'll get official word at that time. Kyle McClellan has already confirmed that he will not be on St. Louis' roster for the World Series. Schumaker strained his oblique during the Cardinals' NLDS Game 5 victory over the Phillies and was left off the 25-man roster for the NLCS. He's been working out with his teammates since then. Nick Punto and Ryan Theriot filled in at second base against the Brewers. Schumaker batted .283/.333/.351 in the regular season and went 6-for-10 during the NLDS.

Skip Schumaker (oblique) expects to be available if the Cardinals advance to the World Series. Schumaker strained his oblique during the Cardinals' thrilling NLDS Game 5 victory over the Phillies and was left off the 25-man roster for the NLCS. He's been working out along with his teammates for most of this week, though, and told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "I'll be ready." Nick Punto and Ryan Theriot have been playing second base.

Skip Schumaker (oblique) is hoping to return to action if the Cardinals advance to the World Series. "There's been a lot of improvement from then to now," Schumaker told Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I wouldn't have been as optimistic two days ago, or even yesterday, but if it continues to improve at this rate I think there's a very good chance." Nick Punto and Ryan Theriot have been filling in at second base.