Cardinals LHP Mark Mulder met with team doctor George Paletta and trainer Barry Weinberg on Wednesday for a scheduled checkup on his shoulder, and GM John Mozeliak called the report on Mulder’s recovery “very positive.”

Mulder has been limited to 20 starts during the past two seasons because of rotator cuff problems, and is coming off his second shoulder surgery in 12½ months. The last time he got an out in the sixth inning was June 3, 2006. The Cardinals, who are in need of starting pitching, expect Mulder to be ready for spring training and a part of the opening-day rotation.