Rick Ankiel News

"This is a different Rick Ankiel. Not just the pitcher-turned-outfield slugger stuff, which is a preposterously astonishing story in and of itself. No. This is better than that. Because this is a different person in the same skin. "Have a seat. Enjoy," Ankiel said Tuesday at his double-wide cubicle in the St. Louis clubhouse a couple of hours before the Cardinals played the Marlins in Dolphin Stadium. He's gregarious and friendly and energetic and, well, allow Cardinals manager Tony La Russa to offer an explanation. "He looks forward to coming to the ballpark," La Russa said. "I'm not big on psychology; I'm big on recognizing we're all people, not machines. If you're unhappy and worried, ..."

"Center fielder Rick Ankiel was written into one of manager Tony La Russa's lineup cards for Friday afternoon's series opener against the Chicago Cubs. However, the lineup became nothing more than a piece of memorabilia after Ankiel put his strained lower abdomen through an extensive workout during batting practice. Ankiel technically wasn't scratched, because La Russa omitted him from a second lineup. Nor did he experience a setback during a workout that included Ankiel running down balls. "It's just not quite there yet," Ankiel said after Friday's 3-2 loss. "We'll see about tomorrow." Ankiel has not started in 12 games since suffering the strain July 26 in New York. He appeared in ..."

"Cardinals center fielder Rick Ankiel, under orders not to run as he continues to heal from an abdominal strain, found himself at first base in the ninth inning Sunday night after his pinch-hit grounder down the line had tipped off the glove of Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard. The ball had dribbled into right field, chased by second baseman Chase Utley, who deferred to charging right fielder Jayson Werth to throw back to the infield as Cardinals base runner Aaron Miles scampered to third. But in his haste to retrieve the ball, Werth, avoiding a collision with Utley, slipped to the ground. Ankiel then looked toward second base and found nobody there as shortstop Jimmy Rollins, the ..."

"Outfielder Rick Ankiel (abdominal strain) is available to pinch-hit in this weekend's series against Philadelphia, and manager Tony La Russa agreed that Tuesday is a good target for his possible return to the lineup. - Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright will uncork his curveball and slider at game speed for the first time in a bullpen session today. If today's session goes well, Wainwright (sprained finger) will face hitters in a simulated game Tuesday and from there could advance to a rehab assignment. - La Russa on the Dodgers, who visit Busch Stadium next week, acquiring Manny Ramirez at the trade deadline: "Yes, I did (see that). Not my favorite news." GARCIA IS BACK The Cardinals, ..."

"The Cardinals did not put center fielder Rick Ankiel on the disabled list Monday but are unsure when he will be able to play. Ankiel suffered an abdominal pull running out a double during Saturday night's 14-inning win in New York. He's riding a nine-game hitting streak that includes a .366 average and two home runs. Manager Tony La Russa said Ankiel has little discomfort swinging a bat "but he can't run." The Cardinals regained an outfielder Monday by promoting Nick Stavinoha from Class AAA Memphis while optioning rookie pitcher Mitchell Boggs."

"Cardinals center fielder Rick Ankiel felt a pinch in his stomach running out a double in the eighth inning Saturday and played the rest of the game "in distress," manager Tony La Russa said. The outfielder continued to have soreness in his abdomen Sunday morning and was unavailable for that afternoon's game. The Cardinals diagnosed Ankiel's discomfort as an abdominal strain, though the severity of the injury will be evaluated as early as today. General manager John Mozeliak called Ankiel, who has seven homers and 21 RBIs this month, "day to day.""

"Rick Ankiel's most consistent stretch at the plate in the big leagues is the result of pitcher familiarity and a tighter strike zone, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said.After seeing his batting average dip to .251 on June 24, Ankiel raised his average to .276 after Tuesday's game against Milwaukee with 32 hits in 94 at-bats."Maybe a little bit better knowledge of the pitchers ... improving his strike zone," La Russa said. "His attitude is real consistent ... being a hungry hitter and trying to go out and make something happen.""

"Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel returned to St. Louis late Thursday night so that team doctors could look at the infected knee that has kept him out of the lineup. Ankiel has received antibiotics to treat the infection in his right knee, and manager Tony La Russa said the swelling in the joint had diminished before Ankiel left the team. The manager said he did not know if Ankiel would rejoin the team this weekend in Houston. Ankiel stayed overnight Friday in St. Louis to receive treatment."

"Center fielder Rick Ankiel underwent a second examination in as many days between games of Thursday's doubleheader. After staying at the team's hotel during the afternoon game, Ankiel had his infected right knee examined before departing with the club for Houston. Manager Tony La Russa said consideration was given to sending Ankiel back to St. Louis; however, the infection had shown enough signs of improvement that he might play this weekend. La Russa said Ankiel was not suffering from a staph infection."

"Ankiel's status remains uncertain because of an infection in his right knee.Ankiel left waterlogged Nationals Park for the team hotel in nearby Pentagon City about two hours before Wednesday's scheduled first pitch. He was examined earlier in the day and received a prescription for antibiotics. The club remained uncertain when he would again be available."