Jack Clark filed for baseball free agency,...

Jack Clark filed for baseball free agency, but said he is still hoping to sign a St. Louis Cardinals’ contract.

Clark, 31, said he fully expects his absence from last month’s National League playoff and World Series because of ankle injuries to cost him in the contract he hopes to negotiate with the Cardinals.

Clark hit .289 and had 35 home runs and 106 RBIs before being sidelined Sept. 9 by a sprained ankle and torn tissues above the same right ankle. He batted only three times afterward, including once against the San Francisco Giants in the NL playoffs.