"What a bittersweet day for Yovani Gallardo.

Sunday morning brought the news that Gallardo had made his first all-star team, a watershed moment for any player. Before the day was done, he was getting treatment in the trainer's room, wondering if he'd even be available for the midsummer classic.

Talk about your highs and lows.

"That's the kind of day it was for me, all around," said the Milwaukee Brewers' young ace. "I don't know how to explain it. I'm pretty excited about the All-Star Game, then I had to come out of the game."

Gallardo exited with a left oblique strain in what became a disastrous third inning for the Brewers as St. Louis scored five unearned runs and rolled to a 7-1 victory at Busch Stadium behind Adam Wainwright's five-hitter.

Gallardo will be examined Monday morning by team physician William Raasch to determine the extent of the injury. The 24-year-old right-hander was scheduled to make one more start before the break on Saturday against Pittsburgh, then be available for the All-Star Game the following Tuesday in Anaheim.

As much as Gallardo means to the Brewers, however, that next start likely will be skipped. And he certainly wouldn't pitch in the All-Star Game if he misses that start. By placing Gallardo at the back end of the rotation coming out of the break, the Brewers could give him time off that would be the equivalent of the 15-day disabled list.

"Let's not jump to any conclusions," said Brewers manager Ken Macha, whose team split the four-game series against the Cardinals. "Let's wait until we get a good assessment (Monday) from our doctor."

Facing No. 9 hitter Tyler Greene in the third, Gallardo grabbed his left side after throwing an 0-2 curveball that broke wide of the plate. Macha and assistant trainer Dan Wright immediately came to the mound and there was no thought of keeping Gallardo in the game."