According to Jennifer Langosch of MLB.com, Rafael Furcal is on track to be fully recovered and ready by the start of spring training.

Furcal was shut down last August when he tore the UCL in his right elbow. The club remained confident all winter that Furcal would be ready to go, and chose not to hedge their bets by acquiring a middle infielder.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said on MLB Network Radio that an MRI on Rafael Furcal's right elbow on Monday showed that his ligament is completely healed.

Great news for the Cardinals. With the rehab program a success, the Cardinals can move ahead with their offseason plans knowing that Furcal is expected to be 100 percent in time for spring training. The 35-year-old shortstop is owed $7 million next season.

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Rafael Furcal will undergo another MRI on his elbow later this month.

Strauss says Furcal's right elbow is "not out of the woods" just yet. The shortstop is rehabbing a partially torn ligament in the elbow and has yet to throw a baseball. The Cardinals would like to receive some clarity on his situation as soon as possible so that they know whether they need to pursue shortstop help.

Rafael Furcal (elbow) has yet to throw a baseball.

Furcal is currently rehabbing a torn ligament in his right elbow. He will soon travel from the Dominican Republic to his home in Florida in order to meet with the team's medical staff. The Cardinals will be less inclined to seek a shortstop if he can avoid surgery. The 35-year-old is under contract for $7 million next season.

Rafael Furcal (elbow) is progressing in his rehab.

If that progress continues, the Cardinals will be less likely to pursue a shortstop this winter. Furcal, who turned 35 in October, is owed $7 million in 2013.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said he expects Rafael Furcal (elbow) to avoid offseason surgery.

Furcal, out since August 30, has already been ruled out for the playoffs. The Cardinals are hoping he can resume throwing in late November and be medically cleared for spring training. The 34-year-old is slated to make $7 million next season in the final year of a two-year contract.

Rafael Furcal (elbow) said Wednesday night that he needs another month of recovery time.

In other words, he will not play in the postseason no matter how far the Cardinals advance. Furcal wound up posting a .264/.325/.364 batting line across 531 plate appearances this season. The 34-year-old shortstop is under contract for a salary of $7 million in 2013.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak has officially ruled Rafael Furcal (elbow) out for the rest of the regular season, as well as a possible postseason berth.

"The clock's not on our side," Mozeliak said. The general manager did add that he still believes Furcal can avoid surgery on his right elbow, so it sounds like having him available at the start of spring training shouldn't be a problem. Pete Kozma has been filling in for the Cards at shortstop and will continue to do so.

Rafael Furcal (elbow) has not resumed throwing.

Furcal is keeping his lower body strong and was able to do some upper body workouts on Tuesday at Busch Stadium, but he's not exactly making significant progress. "I wish I can come back this year and be available to do something," said the veteran shortstop. "Now, I feel like I'm not doing anything for my team." He is highly unlikely to return before the end of the regular season. Pete Kozma and Daniel Descalso will continue to fill in.

Rafael Furcal (elbow) exercised Tuesday in St. Louis.

Furcal had been limited to lower body work but is beginning to add in drills that involve his arms. He is aiming to return to the Cardinals before the end of September.

Rafael Furcal will get platelet-rich plasma therapy Tuesday for his injured right elbow.

Tests have determined that Furcal does not have a torn ulnar collateral ligament and does not need surgery. And there's even a chance that he could return this season. It is great news for the Cardinals, who have turned to Daniel Descalso and Pete Kozma in the veteran's absence.

Rafael Furcal will not undergo surgery to repair the damaged ligament in his right elbow and could return this season.

Rafael Furcal has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and is done for the season.

It's official. While a torn UCL usually means Tommy John surgery, that decision hasn't been made yet. Daniel Descalso should get most of the playing time at shortstop down the stretch while Pete Kozma, who is starting Friday, will provide depth.

Cardinals placed SS Rafael Furcal on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain.

The Cardinals are calling it a strain for now, but there's a real fear that he may have torn the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. If that's indeed the case, he will likely require season-ending Tommy John surgery. The veteran shortstop was sent back to St. Louis in order to undergo an MRI, so there should be more clarity on the situation soon. Pete Kozma was called up to replace him on the active roster.

The Cardinals believe Rafael Furcal may have suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

The veteran shortstop has been sent back to St. Louis for an MRI to confirm that diagnosis. If it turns out to be correct, he will likely undergo Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. Daniel Descalso filled in for Furcal on Thursday night and will presumably take over as the Cardinals' starting shortstop.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny plans to keep hitting Rafael Furcal lower in the batting order until he "gets right."

"We're trying to find out what works," Matheny said. "Going into the season the thinking was Raffy would be the predominant leadoff guy. (He's) fighting it. That leadoff spot is not a spot to get right in." Not only is Furcal batting just .200 since the beginning of June, he's also dealt with nagging back and shin pain. His back in particular bothers him much more at the plate, so hitting him lower in the order saves him from extra wear and tear. Jon Jay has 10 hits over the last four games and is looking like the preferred choice for the leadoff spot, though Daniel Descalso and Skip Schumaker have also made appearances there.

Rafael Furcal returned to action on Thursday August 9.

Rafael Furcal (back) is in the Cardinals' starting lineup on Thursday afternoon versus the Giants.

Furcal was given a pain-killing injection and a day of rest Wednesday due to soreness in his back. It's an issue that could plague him through the end of the season.

Rafael Furcal received an injection for his ailing back Wednesday.

The Cardinals are listing him as day-to-day, but he seems likely to miss at least a couple games while the shot takes effect. Daniel Descalso is drawing another start at shortstop Wednesday.

Rafael Furcal is out of the Cardinals' staring lineup on Wednesday because of lingering back stiffness.

Furcal has missed several games now with the back injury, though not consecutively. He may be able to pinch hit and should be back in action in Thursday's series-finale.