"Cardinals right-hander John Smoltz has been scratched from his scheduled Monday start due to tendinitis in his right shoulder. He expects to take his next turn, on Sunday, Sept. 20, at home against the Cubs. Todd Wellemeyer will pitch in Smoltz's place on Monday. Smoltz downplayed the issue, but he was still appreciative of the chance to get the needed rest. He received a shot of anti-inflammatory medicine to ease the pain he was feeling, and he will not throw a bullpen session between now and when he makes his next start. "At this point, the easy thing to do is give me rest and I'll be ready," Smoltz said. "I'll be fine. I've pitched through all kinds of tendinitis before. But at this point, it gives me a nice opportunity to give me five days off and feel good about my next start. ... Certainly, like I've said many times before, if it was a playoff start, I'm sure I could have cranked it up. Any tendinitis, once you get heated, you're fine." Manager Tony La Russa didn't hesitate to give Smoltz the break."