John Smoltz expressed a desire to return to the Cardinals during a chat with reporters Sunday at Busch Stadium.
"This would be a great fit," said the 42-year-old right-hander. "This would be a scenario that wouldn't take too many minutes to make a decision." Smoltz fanned five consecutive hitters during two innings of relief Saturday in the Cardinals' elimination game and had a 4.26 regular-season ERA for St. Louis. He'd make a fine fourth or fifth starter, but the Cards better have some kind of a backup plan.