Beyond adjusting to the absences of Tony La Russa and Albert Pujols, the Cards welcome ace Adam Wainwright back from Tommy John surgery. Lance Berkman moves from right to first base, with Carlos Beltran taking over his former position. Those vets must stay healthy.

2011: 90-72, wild card, won World Series.

First Workout: Feb. 19/24

He’s Here: Manager Mike Matheny, OF Carlos Beltran, LHP J.C. Romero, pitching coach Derek Lilliquist, INF Alex Cora.

He’s Outta Here: Manager Tony La Russa, pitching coach Dave Duncan, 1B Albert Pujols, RHP Edwin Jackson, INF Ryan Theriot, INF Nick Punto, C Gerald Laird, RHP Octavio Dotel, LHP Arthur Rhodes.

Overview: New manager, new pitching coach, new No. 3 hitter after their surprising title run. Matheny will be filling out lineup cards — without Pujols to pencil in — for the first time instead of La Russa, who retired No. 3 on the career victory list behind only Connie Mack and John McGraw. At least Lilliquist has some experience after getting tested late last season when Duncan took an extended leave of absence to tend to his ailing wife. Matheny could plug Beltran, Matt Holliday or Lance Berkman into the slot Pujols commandeered for 11 Hall of Fame-trajectory seasons before bolting to the Angels, or he could mix and match. Signing Beltran and re-signing shortstop Rafael Furcal ($7 million) took most of the money the Cardinals would have spent keeping Pujols. The lineup figures to be deeper with David Freese emerging in October as the NLCS and World Series MVP and Allen Craig also coming off a clutch postseason, although Craig could miss the first month of the season rehabbing from knee surgery. The biggest boost overall might come from a familiar face. Former 20-game winner Adam Wainwright is back from elbow surgery and rejoins Chris Carpenter at the top of the rotation.

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