Lilliquist said, "There's still some tentativeness with what he's doing. He doesn't know what to expect, as far as how it's going to feel. It's just part of the process."

Motte said, "I'm not really worried about (command) right now. That will come.

"Each day we're taking steps forward and today was a big step. You can't just go out there nice and easy because these guys are swinging. You've got to do something.

"Whenever it is that I come back, the hitters are going to be licking their chops hoping you lay one in there so they can knock the crap out of it."

Lilliquist projected that Motte would have three and perhaps four more batting practice sessions, eventually facing his teammates, before he would get into a minor-league game on the back fields.

The next session ordinarily would be three days from now, said Lilliquist.

"But if he plays catch tomorrow and says, 'I feel great, then I would say two days," said Lilliquist.

When Motte first will take the field in a big-league game could be in May or even in April.

"But once I'm in the bullpen in St. Louis," he said, "there's no babying it."

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