Rick Ankiel News: Pro Sports Daily

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September 26

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Unless the Cardinals commit to Rick Ankiel as an everyday outfielder next season, agent Scott Boras believes there is probably a much better market for his client elsewhere. Ankiel, also a pending free agent, has fallen into a timeshare with rookie Colby Rasmus since the Matt Holliday acquisition. Diminished playing time has coincided with diminished production. Boras fully expects a market to develop for Ankiel as a starting outfielder. "I don't even think that is going to be an issue," Boras said. "Rick Ankiel is going to go somewhere."

Cards' Ankiel suffers mild groin strain

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July 29

MLB.com

"Surging outfielder Rick Ankiel suffered a mild groin strain during Monday night's 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers but might only miss a day or two. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said that he would try to avoid using Ankiel on Tuesday night but that he could probably play in an emergency. Ankiel, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and two runs scored, suffered the strain while swinging during an at-bat on Monday night."

St. Louis Cardinals' Ankiel has MRI on his ailing shoulder

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July 19

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"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. ..."

Ankiel seeks plate discipline

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June 3

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Rick Ankiel, playing left field Tuesday with rookie Colby Rasmus in center and Ryan Ludwick in right, is down to .222 after a 1-for-4 night. Asked whether hitting second in front of Pujols might help, manager Tony La Russa said, "The only way that works is if you take advantage of it. He hasn't taken advantage off it. "Every place (in the lineup), he swings, he takes pretty much the same at-bat. If you use some discipline so that you get the count in your favor, then (the pitchers) will see Albert on deck. You've got to get the count in your favor to benefit from (hitting second) and that's not how (Ankiel) hits. That's one thing he's working on." Rasmus, who might have been on the bench ..."

Ankiel seeks plate discipline

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June 3

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Rick Ankiel, playing left field Tuesday with rookie Colby Rasmus in center and Ryan Ludwick in right, is down to .222 after a 1-for-4 night. Asked whether hitting second in front of Pujols might help, manager Tony La Russa said, "The only way that works is if you take advantage of it. He hasn't taken advantage off it. "Every place (in the lineup), he swings, he takes pretty much the same at-bat. If you use some discipline so that you get the count in your favor, then (the pitchers) will see Albert on deck. You've got to get the count in your favor to benefit from (hitting second) and that's not how (Ankiel) hits. That's one thing he's working on." Rasmus, who might have been on the bench ..."

Ankiel seeks plate discipline

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June 3

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Rick Ankiel, playing left field Tuesday with rookie Colby Rasmus in center and Ryan Ludwick in right, is down to .222 after a 1-for-4 night. Asked whether hitting second in front of Pujols might help, manager Tony La Russa said, "The only way that works is if you take advantage of it. He hasn't taken advantage off it. "Every place (in the lineup), he swings, he takes pretty much the same at-bat. If you use some discipline so that you get the count in your favor, then (the pitchers) will see Albert on deck. You've got to get the count in your favor to benefit from (hitting second) and that's not how (Ankiel) hits. That's one thing he's working on." Rasmus, who might have been on the bench ..."

Ankiel seeks plate discipline

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June 3

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Rick Ankiel, playing left field Tuesday with rookie Colby Rasmus in center and Ryan Ludwick in right, is down to .222 after a 1-for-4 night. Asked whether hitting second in front of Pujols might help, manager Tony La Russa said, "The only way that works is if you take advantage of it. He hasn't taken advantage off it. "Every place (in the lineup), he swings, he takes pretty much the same at-bat. If you use some discipline so that you get the count in your favor, then (the pitchers) will see Albert on deck. You've got to get the count in your favor to benefit from (hitting second) and that's not how (Ankiel) hits. That's one thing he's working on." Rasmus, who might have been on the bench ..."

Ankiel seeks plate discipline

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June 3

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Rick Ankiel, playing left field Tuesday with rookie Colby Rasmus in center and Ryan Ludwick in right, is down to .222 after a 1-for-4 night. Asked whether hitting second in front of Pujols might help, manager Tony La Russa said, "The only way that works is if you take advantage of it. He hasn't taken advantage off it. "Every place (in the lineup), he swings, he takes pretty much the same at-bat. If you use some discipline so that you get the count in your favor, then (the pitchers) will see Albert on deck. You've got to get the count in your favor to benefit from (hitting second) and that's not how (Ankiel) hits. That's one thing he's working on." Rasmus, who might have been on the bench ..."

Ankiel seeks plate discipline

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June 3

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Rick Ankiel, playing left field Tuesday with rookie Colby Rasmus in center and Ryan Ludwick in right, is down to .222 after a 1-for-4 night. Asked whether hitting second in front of Pujols might help, manager Tony La Russa said, "The only way that works is if you take advantage of it. He hasn't taken advantage off it. "Every place (in the lineup), he swings, he takes pretty much the same at-bat. If you use some discipline so that you get the count in your favor, then (the pitchers) will see Albert on deck. You've got to get the count in your favor to benefit from (hitting second) and that's not how (Ankiel) hits. That's one thing he's working on." Rasmus, who might have been on the bench ..."

Ankiel seeks plate discipline

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June 3

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Rick Ankiel, playing left field Tuesday with rookie Colby Rasmus in center and Ryan Ludwick in right, is down to .222 after a 1-for-4 night. Asked whether hitting second in front of Pujols might help, manager Tony La Russa said, "The only way that works is if you take advantage of it. He hasn't taken advantage off it. "Every place (in the lineup), he swings, he takes pretty much the same at-bat. If you use some discipline so that you get the count in your favor, then (the pitchers) will see Albert on deck. You've got to get the count in your favor to benefit from (hitting second) and that's not how (Ankiel) hits. That's one thing he's working on." Rasmus, who might have been on the bench ..."

Sore shoulder keeps Ankiel out of lineup

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May 26

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The Cardinals initially projected Rick Ankiel's return from the disabled list for Monday's series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. After activating him a day earlier for the series finale against the Kansas City Royals, the Cardinals and their outfielder again find themselves in limbo. Manager Tony La Russa held Ankiel out of Monday's lineup and afterward admitted Ankiel's sore right shoulder made him unavailable for the 1-0, 10-inning loss. La Russa expressed optimism before the game about Ankiel's availability today against Jeff Suppan. However, after speaking with head athletic trainer Barry Weinberg immediately after Monday's loss, general manager John Mozeliak said "there's hope ..."

Cardinals activate Ankiel from DL

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May 25

MLB.com

"Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel was activated from the disabled list on Sunday morning and was back in manager Tony La Russa's lineup for the finale of the three-game series with the Kansas City Royals, batting fifth and playing right field.To make room for Ankiel on the active roster, the Cardinals optioned infielder Tyler Greene to Triple-A Memphis. Ankiel, who was eligible to come off the DL on Wednesday, has been battling a pain in his rib since his scary collision with an outfield wall on May 4. However, he arrived at the ballpark early Sunday morning and was pronounced ready to go. "He worked out for a little bit and he feels good," La Russa said Sunday morning. "Today is like ..."

Ankiel is close to returning

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May 24

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Outfielder Rick Ankiel pronounced himself as "getting there" after Saturday's 5-0 win over the Kansas City Royals. If the destination is anywhere except the disabled list, the Cardinals now expect Ankiel to arrive on time for Monday's series opener at Miller Park against Milwaukee. Manager Tony La Russa spoke optimistically regarding Ankiel's return following a briefing from the team's training staff Saturday. Ankiel, sidelined by shoulder and left side soreness since a May 5 collision with Busch Stadium's centerfield wall, rejoined the team Wednesday but was held back by the left-side muscle. A Saturday workout confirmed progress."

Ankiel's progress is slow

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May 23

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"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. ..."

Cards hopeful Ankiel can return to mix

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May 20

MLB.com

"Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is hopeful that outfielder Rick Ankiel will return from the disabled list for Wednesday's game against the rival Chicago Cubs. Ankiel was injured in a scary collision with the outfield wall at Busch Stadium on May 4, and he was put on the disabled list two days later with a bruised right shoulder and overall body soreness. Ankiel has been working out at the Cardinals' Spring Training complex in Jupiter, Fla., but he was expected to return to St. Louis either Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning. After a workout at Busch Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, La Russa and the Cardinals will decide if Ankiel is ready to return against Cubs right-hander Ryan ..."

Rasmus will play every day for St. Louis Cardinals while Ankiel is on the disabled list

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May 10

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"As long as Rick Ankiel remains on the disabled list, Colby Rasmus will retain status as an everyday player. The rookie Rasmus returned to center field and the No. 2 spot in the order Saturday against Cincinnati Reds righthander Aaron Harang. Underscoring his awareness in that role, Rasmus drag bunted for a hit with Skip Schumaker already on base in the first inning. The Cardinals failed to score but Rasmus deepened an impression. "He's going to get a chance every day. He's going to get a lot of time. To this point he's done a lot with the opportunities he's received," manager Tony La Russa said. Rasmus has started 21 of his team's 31 games, including 11 in center field. He entered Saturday ..."

St. Louis Cardinals' Rick Ankiel remains out of lineup

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May 7

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Cardinals center fielder Rick Ankiel, still healing from a bout with the Busch Stadium wall (the wall usually wins), wasn't in the Cardinals' lineup Wednesday night and probably won't be this afternoon in the finale of the four-game home stand. "I heard somebody refer to him as Evel Knievel," manager Tony La Russsa said. But La Russa acknowledged that Ankiel likely wouldn't be test-driving his body today, either. Ankiel did not take batting practice or work out on the field Wednesday night. "He's sore," La Russa said. "He's less sore in some places and more sore in others. That's exactly how he explained it to me. I think we'll buy another day or two and see what kind of improvement he ..."

Crash adds chapter to Ankiel's amazing story

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May 6

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"One of the e-mails received from the many concerned Cardinals fans - this one named Mary Jo - read, "We love you, Rick. Please get well soon. Your fans and your team need you." Since his meltdown in the 2000 postseason, fans, management and teammates have ridden the Rick Ankiel roller coaster - from spectacular star rookie to tormented pitcher to injured pitcher to retired pitcher to minor league outfielder to injured outfielder to big-league outfielder ... to spectacular big-league outfielder. Along the way, nobody has hidden that he or she was pulling for Ankiel, who, believe this or not, will be 30 in July. And when Ankiel crashed into the wall in left-center field Monday night while ..."

Rick Ankiel released from hospital, everything "positive"

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May 5

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Outfielder Rick Ankiel has been released from a St. Louis-area hospital and a St. Louis Cardinals official said everything is "positive" for the center fielder who crashed into the wall while making a catch late in Monday night's game. "Right now things are positive," general manager John Mozeliak confirmed this morning. He added that the team will have a more detailed update this afternoon. Ankiel is expected to be at Busch Stadium this evening as the Cardinals conclude their two-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The center fielder's short-term availability will be more clear later today, though it's possible the Cardinals will consider adding a position player to what ..."

Ankiel runs into wall; X-rays negative

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May 5

MLB.com

"Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel was taken to a hospital on Monday night after he injured himself making a catch at the wall in the eighth inning of St. Louis' game against the Phillies. Ankiel hit headfirst against the left-center-field wall after making a catch on a deep line drive by Phillies third baseman Pedro Feliz. According to a statement the club released late on Monday night, Ankiel underwent X-rays and a CT scan of his head, neck and back, and all were negative and showed no fractures. Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said that Ankiel had movement and feeling in his arms and legs, and that according to the team's head physician, Dr. George Paletta, Ankiel never lost ..."

St. Louis Cardinals' Rick Ankiel turning things around

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April 24

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Rick Ankiel can peek at the scoreboard again and not blush. When the week started, the Cardinals' center fielder was hitting .179. But, at this early juncture of the season, those numbers can change in pinball fashion. And Ankiel confirmed that theory with his second three-hit game in the series Thursday as the Cardinals completed a sweep of the New York Mets with a 12-8 win at Busch Stadium. And now, after a day when he had two doubles and his first home run of the season, Ankiel is hitting a far less daunting .250. But maybe the most impressive part of Ankiel's day came when the other side was at bat. Gary Sheffield, leading off the Mets' second, hit a rope to right-center. With the ..."

La Russa has a talk with Ankiel

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April 20

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Manager Tony La Russa met with slumping outfielder Rick Ankiel on Sunday shortly after the Cardinals' night game against the Chicago Cubs was postponed. La Russa, who did not write Ankiel into his early lineup against lefthander Ted Lilly, encouraged Ankiel to maintain a consistent approach. Ankiel enters this week's six-game home stand against the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs hitting .179 after enduring an 0-for-six game in Saturday's 11-inning loss. His manager believes Ankiel may be pressing a bit. There are more difficult problems to fix. "It's better for a manager or a coach to gear a guy down who may be trying too hard than to have him get his motor going," La Russa said. "He's ..."

Rick Ankiel works on batting behind Albert Pujols

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March 1

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Hal McRae understands. Once "protection" for Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett, the Cardinals hitting coach understands the scrutiny that comes with the role. "You're not at the plate but the pitcher's looking at you on deck, saying, 'I'm going to get you,'" remembered McRae, who hit cleanup when Brett batted third and led the American League in RBIs in 1982. "They're putting up four (fingers for an intentional walk). That's tough for the next guy. You know they're waiting for you. The bull's-eye is on your back and that's tough." Entering his second full season as a major-league position player, Cardinals center fielder Rick Ankiel understands also after ..."

Rick Ankiel, St. Louis Cardinals split the difference, avoid arbitration

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February 13

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The Cardinals and outfielder Rick Ankiel each traveled a long way to learn they only had to meet each other in the middle. Less than three hours before turning over their salary negotiations to a three-judge arbitration panel in Phoenix on Thursday, the Cardinals and Ankiel agreed to a one-year, $2.825-million deal. Ankiel's salary for 2009 split the difference between the figures the club and Ankiel's agent, Scott Boras, submitted weeks ago. "Rick was very prepared for the process, but I think all parties are pleased that we were able to have an amicable settlement before needing the hearing," Boras said. "I've been through a lot of negotiations, and there are all kinds of dynamics that ..."

Ankiel signs, avoids arbitration

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February 12

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"St. Louis Cardinals assistant general manager John Abbamondi confirmed that the club and outfielder Rick Ankiel agreed today to a one-year deal, minutes before going into an arbitration hearing in Phoenix. The value of the deal is $2.83 million, the midpoint of the numbers the two sides submitted for the arbitration hearing. "We are excited to get this deal done and put the process behind us," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement released by the team. "Everyone felt that this agreement was fair to both parties and we can now look forward to another strong season of play from Rick.""

St. Louis Cardinals, Rick Ankiel head to arbitration

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February 11

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"He made his major-league debut in 1999 and retained rookie status in 2000. His career has crashed, burned and been resurrected. So it is perhaps fitting that today Rick Ankiel travels to a place called Phoenix in preparation for an experience Thursday unique to his 10 professional seasons: The Cardinals' pitcher-turned-outfielder appears certain to become the team's first player since 1999 to reach a salary arbitration hearing against the team. At stake is a $950,000 difference of opinion and the potential for hard feelings. "It doesn't seem fun by any means. Avoiding it would have been nice. But apparently we couldn't work it out," Ankiel said during a break in Tuesday morning's workout ..."

Braves could add to Burnett offer; trade for Ankiel

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December 9

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"While the Braves would prefer not to turn an option into a guaranteed fifth year in their offer to free-agent pitcher A.J. Burnett, there are indications they would do it if that's what it took to outbid the New York Yankees or other suitors. "You've got to do what you've got to do," manager Bobby Cox said when asked about pitching-needy teams like the Braves having to offer more money and/or longer deals than they'd prefer for free agents who've had health issues. On the first day of baseball's annual winter meetings, there were reports that the Yankees were considering making a four-year, $64 million offer to Burnett. The Braves last week offered him what was believed to be a four-year, ..."

Surgery for Ankiel?

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September 13

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel was in Philadelphia on Friday to see a specialist about an abdominal strain that has lingered for nearly two months. Ankiel met with Dr. William Meyers, a surgeon who recently repaired Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Kevin Curtis' sports hernia. The team released a statement that said "it appears likely he will undergo surgery in the near future." Ankiel received a shot Friday to address the irritation, and he was diagnosed with an abdominal strain/sports hernia. Ankiel recently said the soreness in his abdomen has made it difficult to run and "generate power." While initial examinations did not reveal a tearing of the abdominal wall that would qualify as ..."

Glaus hopes to return; Ankiel will be used 'sparingly'

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September 11

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Cardinals third baseman Troy Glaus, who has a strained right shoulder, may not be out for the season yet. But outfielder Rick Ankiel, whose abdominal strain hasn't improved, ostensibly is done for the year -- at least as a regular player. Glaus, who aggravated a right shoulder strain while swinging the bat in Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Cubs, received a second cortisone shot on Wednesday and he said his progress would be evaluated in 24 to 48 hours. That means Glaus is out of tonight's and tomorrow night's games here against the Cubs and probably at least part of the series at Pittsburgh. But Glaus was hopeful of returning for the final two weeks of play. "Everything was ..."

Ankiel's injury issue

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August 31

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Manager Tony La Russa said he harbors concern about the lingering abdominal strain that has limited Rick Ankiel's availability, kept him out of center field and quite possibly complicated his swing. "I think he's got an issue (that) is going to last the rest of the year," La Russa said Saturday. "All I've got to do is get a hint that (playing him) is not in his best interest and I'll shut him down." Ankiel returned to the starting lineup Saturday at Houston and snapped an 0-for-9 funk with a three-run home run in his first at-bat. The homer was Ankiel's 25th of the season, but only his third since injuring his torso on July 26. La Russa eyed a run of games against lefthanded starters, like ..."

Ankiel still ailing

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August 28

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel, bothered for a month with what has been diagnosed as a strained abdominal muscle, went to the bench against Milwaukee lefthander Manny Parra on Wednesday night, having gone four for his last 36. Ankiel says the ailment is more of a factor when he runs, but he hasn't been able to do much offensively lately, either, with just three homers and nine runs batted in this month. Manager Tony La Russa had expressed concern before Wednesday's game that the injury could be a more serious injury like the sports hernia for which Chris Duncan eventually had to have surgery last year. After taking early batting practice Wednesday, Ankiel went to a doctor to be checked ..."

Ankiel finally having fun again

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August 13

Palm Beach Post

columnist Greg Stoda

"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, ..."

Ankiel Plays It Safe

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August 9

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"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 ..."

Ankiel stays put

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August 4

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"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 ..."

Ankiel could start next series

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August 2

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"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, ..."

Ankiel on hold

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July 29

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"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."

Ankiel continues to have soreness

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July 28

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"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.""

Ankiel gets more consistent

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July 23

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"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.""

Notes: Ankiel returns to St. Louis

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June 7

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"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."

Notebook: Ankiel re-checked

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June 6

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"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."

Notes: Ankiel's status uncertain

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June 5

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"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."