Gerald Laird likely will start his first game of the season either on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Sounds like his left hamstring has fully healed. Laird has had a couple decent seasons at the plate, but is now a prototypical back-up catcher: good defense, poor hitting.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said he would hold out Gerald Laird (hamstring) until after the Cardinals' off-day on Tuesday.

Laird was pulled from Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins after feeling some tightness in his left hamstring. "[La Russa] asked me today, and I said 'I feel good for tomorrow,'" Laird said. "He said, 'OK,' but then he said, 'But don't forget we have the extra off-day.' When it all comes down to it, I'm good to go, but if they want me to take the extra day, I will. I feel fine." He'll be ready to act as Yadier Molina's backup on Opening Day.

Gerald Laird (hamstring) is aiming to return to the Cardinals' spring lineup on Saturday.

Laird had to be lifted from Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins after feeling some tightness in his left hamstring, but it was never a major thing. He'll be fine for Opening Day.

Gerald Laird left Thursday's game against the Marlins with tightness in his left hamstring.

Laird was lifted for precautionary reasons. Consider him day-to-day.

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Cardinals have agreed to a contract with free agent catcher Gerald Laird.

The Cardinals have talked all offseason long about wanting to acquire a more offensive-minded backup catcher and Laird hit just .207 with a 567 OPS in Detroit last season. It seems like Triple-A Memphis backstop Bryan Anderson, if given the chance, could post better big league numbers. Either way, backups in St. Louis don't see much playing time behind Yadier Molina.

The Tigers declined to offer salary arbitration to Gerald Laird.

Laird will enter the open market as a Type B free agent. He hit just .207/.263/.304 this past season with five home runs and 25 RBI in 270 at-bats and will probably have to settle for a backup job next season.

The Tigers will not re-sign Gerald Laird.

The 30-year-old catcher hit just .207/.263/.304 with five homers and 25 RBI in 270 at-bats this season and played only sparingly down the stretch because of the presence of Alex Avila. Laird will be in search of a backup catching job this winter, unless a really desperate team wants to make him a starter.

Gerald Laird left Friday's game against the Orioles in the third inning due to a left shoulder contusion.

Jake Fox caught him with his backswing in the bottom of the first inning. Laird was replaced by Alex Avila to begin the bottom of the third inning. He's likely day-to-day.

Gerald Laird singled in the go-ahead run in the 11th as the Tigers topped the White Sox 9-7 on Sunday.

The Tigers won despite blowing a four-run lead in the ninth. Laird also had an RBI double in the game, and he's now batting .206, a new season high for him.

Gerald Laird returned to action on Tuesday September 14.

Gerald Laird (back) is aiming to return to the Tigers' lineup Wednesday.

Laird has been out since last Thursday due to tightness in his lower back. The veteran catcher is batting .205/.263/.299 in 244 at-bats.

Gerald Laird (back) is not in the Tigers' lineup Monday.

Laird was scratched from Friday's lineup due to a tight lower back and hasn't played since. "His back is getting better each and every day," trainer Kevin Rand said Monday. "We are continuing to treat him and trying to get him 100 percent." Consider the veteran catcher day-to-day.

Gerald Laird was a late scratch from Friday's lineup due to a tight lower back.

It's not clear if the ailment will cause Laird to miss any more games. Alex Avila, who has been getting most of the playing time lately, anyway, will catch if Laird needs more time off.

Gerald Laird hit a solo homer off Nick Blackburn in the top of the 13th inning to lead the Tigers to a 10-9 win over the Twins on Thursday.

The Tigers also got homers from Don Kelly, Ryan Raburn, Casper Wells and Jhonny Peralta -- all of the usual suspects -- but it was Laird who delivered the big blow. Despite hitting better of late, Laird had started just one game since Aug. 26. The only reason he was in tonight was because he's a good bunter, and manager Jim Leyland put him in during a sacrifice situation in the 11th. Up again in the 13th, he hit his fifth homer and gave the Tigers a victory in a wild, sloppy game.

Gerald Laird went 2-for-5 on Wednesday, extending his hitting streak to a career-high six games.

Nope, that's not sarcasm, ladies and gentleman. Laird had actually hit in five straight games just once before, that happening in 2008. With the 2-for-5 day, he pushed his season average up to .203. It's the first time all year he's finished a game above .200.

Gerald Laird returned to action on Friday August 20.

Gerald Laird was held out Wednesday with a bruised elbow.

Laird was plunked on the right side of his elbow by a Daniel Schlereth pitch Tuesday night and is being called day-to-day. Alex Avila started behind the plate Wednesday against Yanks righty Dustin Moseley.

Gerald Laird went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer off Colby Lewis to lead the Tigers past the Rangers on Wednesday night.

Laird is having a miserable season, as evidenced by his .190 batting average and 15 RBI in 179 at-bats. The Tigers have him splitting time with Alex Avila for his defense, not his bat.

Gerald Laird is in Sunday's lineup despite having to leave Saturday's game after getting hit in the head with shattered bat.

Laird initially stayed in the game Saturday before being lifted later in the contest. "It's one of those things that happen," said Laird. "[Gimenez] finished his swing and it kind of clipped me. I'm just glad it wasn't the other end of the bat sticking in me. That's the scary part about being back there." It appears the catcher should be good to go moving forward.

Gerald Laird was 1-for-5 with an RBI single in his return to the starting lineup against the Mets on Tuesday night.

It was also the first time he has batted second for the Tigers. Laird hadn't played since last Wednesday due to a stiff neck.