The Cardinals on Tuesday promoted minor-league pitching coach Derek Lilliquist to the major-league staff as bullpen coach, achieving their desired blend of upward mobility and familiarity.

Lilliquist, 44, becomes the final piece to manager Tony La Russa's 2011 staff, joining the parent club two weeks after the Cardinals dismissed longtime bullpen coach Marty Mason. Lilliquist graduates from being the team's Jupiter, Fla., pitching coordinator a year after family concerns caused him to decline an opportunity as Memphis pitching coach.

"It's huge for me," Lilliquist said. "When you play in the big leagues and you know what that's like ... your goal is to be as good as you can be at what you're doing to get the chance to get back there."

Lilliquist's appointment coincided with the team's decision to flip roles among its training staff.

Greg Hauck was promoted from assistant athletic trainer to the head position, while Barry Weinberg, who followed La Russa from the Oakland A's to St. Louis in 1998, takes on the title of assistant. General manager John Mozeliak described the unusual move as a means of attaining new "leadership and direction." Weinberg served as A's head trainer for 16 seasons before holding the same post for 13 seasons with the Cardinals.

Mozeliak said the decision to promote Hauck was an "evolving" one not finalized until the last two weeks.

"I think their relationship allows this to happen," Mozeliak said. "Greg has a lot of innovative ideas and wants to approach some things with a new level of energy. I think Barry agreed the timing was right."

The club also announced Mike Aldrete's return for a fourth season as assistant hitting coach. Aldrete joined the organization in 2008 as an aide to Hal McRae and has remained under Mark McGwire, who last week decided to return for a second season with the staff.

The Cardinals have yet to announce last month's hire of former San Diego Padres scouting director Bill Gayton as a professional scout. Gayton became a casualty of Jed Hoyer's ascendance as Padres general manager last fall. Mozeliak also promoted amateur scout Mike Juhl to the professional side. Gayton and Juhl fill vacancies created by special assistant Gary LaRocque's recent transfer as senior adviser to player development and Matt Slater's assignment to amateur and international scouting.

Lilliquist interviewed in person with Mozeliak and pitching coach Dave Duncan last week in St. Louis, as did Springfield (Class AA) pitching coach Dennis Martinez. Minor-league pitching coordinator Dyar Miller received a phone interview, and roving minor-league instructor and former Gold Glove catcher Mike Matheny also discussed the position.

Though Lilliquist has never coached in the major leagues, he formed strong bonds with most members of the Cardinals' pitching staff during the formative stages of their careers and during rehab assignments spent at the team's spring training headquarters. As pitching coach at Class A Palm Beach, Lilliquist supervised Jason Motte's transition from catcher to the bullpen.

Vice president of scouting and player development Jeff Luhnow thought enough of Lilliquist to temporarily promote him last year to Class AAA pitching coach; however, a combination of personal crises caused Lilliquist to request that he remain with the organization closer to his Vero Beach home.

"The Cardinals have been very sympathetic and understanding because family is No. 1," Lilliquist said. "It was a family deal last year that has been resolved. They've always been good to me in that way, and I've always felt here that everybody is part of the (Cardinals) family."

The Atlanta Braves made Lilliquist the sixth overall pick of the 1987 amateur draft in the same year the lefthander became a Golden Spikes finalist at the University of Georgia. Lilliquist amassed an 8-10 record and 3.97 ERA for a last-place Braves team in 1989, when he placed fourth in NL Rookie of the Year balloting, before spending a majority of his career in the bullpen. Lilliquist enjoyed perhaps his best season in 1992, going 5-3 with a 1.75 ERA in 71 appearances for the Cleveland Indians.

Hauck, 44, has spent six seasons with the Cardinals after also serving in a similar capacity with the A's. A team release noted that Hauck is a certified strength and conditioning coach.