"Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel, his right shoulder weakened by a lingering injury, had an MRI taken Saturday to determine the treatment that will keep him in the lineup, not whether he belongs on the disabled list.

Team officials and Ankiel said regardless of the scan's findings he would continue to be available, for now. The goal of the scan was to identify the cause of the nerve problem that is weakening his shoulder by keeping a muscle from firing. Said Ankiel: "We're looking for some reasons for the symptoms, and then ... how to stop it from happening."

The Cardinals activated infielder Mark DeRosa from the disabled list Saturday and optioned Jarrett Hoffpauir to Class AAA Memphis. Manager Tony La Russa said putting Ankiel on the disabled list was not considered because the outfielder is currently viewed as available, even if he's not starting and in a two-for-30 skid. Ankiel said the weakness was related to his crash into the wall May 4, and that he aggravates it "with some swings, like getting a ball off the end of the bat."

"He's cleared to play," La Russa said. "Regardless of the MRI ... It's not a question of whether he can play. It's how much he's affected.""