"Cardinals center fielder Rick Ankiel went on the 15-day disabled list May 5 with assorted injuries, mostly a bruised right shoulder and a sore left side, accumulated from running into a wall. Right fielder Ryan Ludwick went on the DL eight days later with a strained right hamstring. Now, it seems possible, almost probable, that Ludwick will come back on time next Friday in San Francisco and Ankiel, bothered more by his left side than anything else now, will be behind him.

"I would never have thought it," said manager Tony La Russa on Friday night. "There is a chance (that would happen)."

La Russa said Ankiel surely won't be activated this weekend with the Kansas City Royals in town.

Ludwick appears to be able to work out more extensively than Ankiel now and La Russa said he would take Ludwick on the trip Monday to Milwaukee before the club goes to San Francisco next weekend. La Russa said, "We're kind of holding our options open, but if his stroke is good enough, it's possible he may not need to go out (on a rehabilitation assignment)."

On the other hand, La Russa said Ankiel might need some rehabilitation game time in the minors. "Ludwick is a more experienced hitter," said La Russa. "He's got a better idea of what he's doing. Rick's still learning.""