Lohse skipped his usual between-starts bullpen session on Thursday, a result of some shoulder soreness that has plagued him for a couple of weeks. He still intends to make his next start, but the Cardinals are preparing for the alternate possibility by not using rookie Mike Parisi. If Lohse can't go, Parisi will get the start.

"We're holding [Parisi], because Lohse was a little achy, just in case we need him for Sunday," La Russa said after Thursday's 11-5 loss to the Pirates.

Lohse downplayed the discomfort.

"I've just been a little sore the last couple starts," he said. "We're just taking precautions to make sure it doesn't get any worse. It's just been a little rough getting loosened up. But once I get going, it's all right."

Between his last start and the one before it, Lohse threw an abbreviated bullpen session. This time, he bagged it entirely. Still, he said he expects to toe the rubber against Tampa Bay.

"Oh yeah," Lohse said. "Yeah, I'm going to go."

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.