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Rick Ankiel News & Rumors

Gomes' slide, then Ankiel's grand slam key Nationals' 9-3 rout of Braves
August 3
Washington Times
 
"The slide was more suited for second base, a takeout slide on a potential routine double play from the looks of it. Only it happened at home plate and the man on the ground trying to gain his bearings was Atlanta Braves catcher David Ross — not a middle infielder. Jonny Gomes had just executed the play that was considered the turning point of the game, drawing the Nationals to within 3-2. As John Lannan sent a bouncer to first base in the fourth inning with the bases loaded, the newest National came barreling home. Gomes slid feet-first in front of home plate, taking the feet of Ross out from under him, and smacked his right hand on home plate. Gomes' slide did exactly what it was supposed"
Ankiel's homers give Nats third win in a row, top Braves 5-3
August 2
Washington Examiner
 
"It has not been an easy season for Nationals outfielder Rick Ankiel. It never really is for a player who has been through the wringer that is professional sports more than most. Two separate stints on the disabled list kept him off the field. And even when he has been healthy Ankiel has often been relegated to a supporting role off the bench. But maybe things are starting to bend his way with two months still left to play in 2011. Ankiel carried his hot bat from July into August with two home runs on Monday night against the Atlanta Braves. Washington starting pitcher Livan Hernandez helped with his best performance in five weeks thanks to six innings of one-run ball in an eventual 5-3"
Ankiel makes most of leadoff spot, powers Nats to win
August 2
Washington Times
 
"Four weeks ago, Rick Ankiel was activated off the disabled list for the second time, this one from a left intercostal strain. He came back with an undefined position on the Nationals' roster and a role that seemed to be continuously diminishing. The manager had changed — and the new guy, Davey Johnson, had all but anointed Roger Bernadina as the team's everyday man in center field. Ankiel found himself as a fourth outfielder on a bench stacked with left-handers. Finally healthy, though, after recovering from a sprained right wrist as well, teammates noticed a difference, a renewed focus. He asserted himself quietly at first, excelling as a pinch-hitter and late-inning replacement, hitting"
Ankiel came through in close encounter
July 11
Washington Times
 
"Maybe Rockies manager Jim Tracy shouldn't have pulled his starting pitcher. Maybe closer Matt Reynolds shouldn't have thrown a curveball. Whatever the case, Washington Nationals outfielder Rick Ankiel made Colorado pay with his momentum-sealing solo shot over the right-field fence Sunday to help give his team something to feel good about heading into the All-Star break. The pinch-hit homer also kept the good vibes flowing for Ankiel, who has been on fire since his July 1 return from a strained rib cage that kept him on the DL for 14 games. Before the Rockies series, Ankiel had a hit in each of his six games since being activated, notching a .571 average with one home run and one RBI in"
Rick Ankiel placed on disabled list
June 20
Washington Post
 
"The Nationals placed outfielder Rick Ankiel on the 15-day disabled list with a strained intercostal (rib cage) muscle in order to make room for today's starter Tom Gorzelanny, continuing Ankiel's frustrating first season in Washington. On May 2, Ankiel started in center field for the 27th time in 28 games. He sprained his wrist while diving for a line drive, an injury that would eventually send him to the disabled list. When he returned, he found himself in a three-way platoon with Roger Bernadina and Laynce Nix. Tuesday, he strained the muscle while taking a swing in his first at-bat and has not played since. Between injuries and diminished playing time, Ankiel has made 11 starts in the"
Cole Kimball plays catch; Rick Ankiel sits out batting practice
June 18
Washington Post
 
"Nationals reliever Cole Kimball, currently on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, played catch today for the first time since June 9, the last time he pitched in a game. "I wasn't throwing close to 100 percent, but I was able to repeat my desired mechanics pain-free," Kimball said. "I could tell a big difference." Kimball does not have a timetable for his return, but he will not throw off a mound for another seven to 10 days, he said. He felt relief both when he received MRI results that showed no structural damage, and when he played catch today with the inflammation having calmed. "Everything is on the right track to get back to the way I feeling in the spring," Kimball"
Rick Ankiel feeling better, return still uncertain
June 17
Washington Post
 
"The Nationals are monitoring outfielder Rick Ankiel's strained intercostal muscle and are hopeful he will not need to be placed on the disabled list for the second time this season. Ankiel received treatment from head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz this afternoon. He said he feels "better," but is not sure when he will return from the injury, which he suffered Tuesday night. "I'm checking with these guys every day, making sure we're all on the same page," Ankiel said. "But nobody has a crystal ball, so you never know." The intercostal strain can lead to significant time missed – that's what forced Ryan Zimmerman to miss the final 10 games of last year. But Manager Jim Riggleman said Ankiel did"
Rick Ankiel likely fine after hurting hand
May 3
Washington Post
 
"Center fielder Rick Ankiel made several outstanding plays in the Nationals' 2-0 victory Monday night, including one of the toughest an outfielder can make, diving straight to snare a sinking line drive. It's possible, but not necessarily likely, that one of Ankiel's plays came at a cost. Ankiel landed awkwardly and his right (glove) hand when he made the play, and then landed similarly later in the game when he just missed making an almost identical catch. Afterward, in the clubhouse, Ankiel wrapped ice around his right hand with an ace bandage."
Nats show Ankiel-er instinct, 6-3
April 3
Washington Examiner
 
"On a day of dark clouds, bright sun, high winds and sideways rain, the Washington Nationals depended on their newfound constants -- pitching and defense -- Saturday at Nationals Park. Getting a two-run home run from center fielder Rick Ankiel, solid starting work from John Lannan, quality relief from Tyler Clippard and Sean Burnett and a second straight errorless performance in the field, Washington defeated the Atlanta Braves 6-3 before 21,941 at Nationals Park. In winning for the first time this year, Washington (1-1) also got three hits each from right fielder Jayson Werth and catcher Wilson Ramos and a second straight game of sparkling work at second base from Danny Espinosa. There was"
Relationships, opportunity led Ankiel to Nationals
December 22
Washington Post
 
"Rick Ankiel, the Nationals' newest outfielder, said he chose the Nationals over a handful of other interested teams because of his solid relationships with Manager Jim Riggleman and hitting coach Rick Eckstein from their days with the St. Louis Cardinals, as well as the opportunity to earn playing time as part of a 2011 outfield rotation. Ankiel, speaking by phone from his West Palm Beach, Fla. home, said he has worked with Eckstein over the past few off-seasons, and called him "one of the best at what he does." "It's a situation where I'm really comfortable with those guys," he said of Eckstein and Riggleman. "Rick has a way of making you understand what you need to do to be successful.""
Nationals sign OF Rick Ankiel to one-year deal
December 20
Washington Post
 
"The Nationals have signed veteran outfielder Rick Ankiel to an incentive-laden one-year contract worth a guaranteed $1.5 million, pending a physical exam -- a somewhat curious move given the fact Ankiel hits from the same side (left) as holdovers Roger Bernadina and Nyjer Morgan, who were expected to be the Nationals' primary starters in left field and center field. Though he hit 25 homers for St. Louis as recently as 2008, Ankiel, who will turn 32 in July, is essentially a platoon outfielder these days, given his extreme lefty-righty splits. (Last year, while splitting the season between Kansas City and Atlanta, he had an OPS of just .452 in limited exposure to lefties in 2010, compared"
Braves get Ankiel, Farnsworth in five-player deadline trade
August 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"The Braves did some last-minute dealing Saturday, trading for Kansas City outfielder Rick Ankiel and reliever Kyle Farnsworth in a five-player exchange. They sent outfielder Gregor Blanco, reliever Jesse Chavez and left-handed pitching prospect Tim Collins to the Royals in the deal, which was finalized just before Saturday's 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline. "It allows us to fill our two most important needs, and it also didn't force us to give up any of our top young pitching prospects," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "We really like Collins, so it's not to say he's not a good looking young prospect. "But I think everybody knows who our top starting pitchers are in the minor"
Braves Trade With Royals for Rick Ankiel, Kyle Farnsworth
July 31
AOL Fanhouse
 
"The Braves on Saturday filled a void in center field and added to their deep bullpen in a trade with the Royals, obtaining Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth. Kansas City got reliever Jesse Chavez, outfielder Gregor Blanco and minor-league right-hander Tim Collins. With Nate McLouth demoted to the minors and Melky Cabrera hitting .265, Ankiel can take over in center. He recently returned from a strained quadriceps that cost him more than two months and has four homers and 15 RBI in 92 at-bats this season. Farnsworth is 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA in 37 appearances. He served as Atlanta's closer down the stretch in 2005 after coming over from Detroit. Chavez, 26, is 3-2 with a 5.89 ERA in 28 games."
Ankiel on verge of returning to Royals
July 22
Kansas City Star
 
"It looks as if outfielder Rick Ankiel will be rejoining the Royals soon. Royals manager Ned Yost said Wednesday that there's a good chance Ankiel, who has been out since April 24 because of a strained right quad, will return from Class AAA Omaha before the Royals open a four-game series against the New York Yankees tonight. Yost said the Royals may clear a spot on the 25-man roster by putting right-hander Anthony Lerew on the disabled list. Interestingly enough, Lerew — who left Tuesday's game against Toronto after being struck by a line drive off the bat of Edwin Encarnacion — said the bruises on his right ribs and right biceps hurt, but he still expects to make his next start on Sunday."
Ankiel's latest setback not believed to be serious
June 20
Kansas City Star
 
"Royals officials are characterizing outfielder Rick Ankiel's latest problem with his troublesome right quadriceps muscle as a minor setback. Plans are already in place for Ankiel to start a new rehab assignment, perhaps as early as Monday, at Class AAA Omaha. "It's frustrating," general manager Dayton Moore said, "but it's more frustrating for him. You know how much of a competitor he is and how much he wants to get in there. It's just one of those things. "He's trying to fight through it, but it is frustrating." Ankiel, 30, suffered the injury April 24 and was six games into a rehab assignment last Tuesday at Omaha when the problem resurfaced. The Royals recalled him from the assignment"
Ka'aihue recalled after Ankiel placed on disabled list
May 5
Kansas City Star
 
"he Hawaiian Punch is returning to the big leagues. The Royals recalled first baseman Kila Ka'aihue from Class AAA Omaha to fill a roster vacancy created Tuesday by placing outfielder Rick Ankiel on the disabled list. Ka'aihue, 26, is expected to arrive in time for tonight's series finale against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. He was batting .304 with a .466 on-base percentage along with seven homers and 20 RBIs in 23 games at Omaha. How he fits into the lineup remains to seen. Ka'aihue, a left-handed hitter, is a first baseman/designated hitter, and those positions are currently filled by Billy Butler and José Guillen, who have been two of the club's more productive hitters."
Ankiel's two-run single in eighth inning lifts Royals 4-3 over Red Sox
April 10
Kansas City Star
 
"How about this? The Royals put aside their bullpen miseries from earlier in the week Friday night by staging a nice little rally in a 4-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Rick Ankiel's two-out, two-run bloop single to the opposite field in the eighth inning capped the comeback from a 3-0 deficit. That single also punctuated the first four-hit game of Ankiel's career and atoned for an earlier base-running blunder. It further enabled the Royals to shake any lingering feelings of being hard-done after two suspect calls by home-plate umpire Mike Estabrook. "I feel great," Ankiel said. "I feel like every time we can come back and take the lead when we're down, it just"
Royals scratch Ankiel again, wary on status of Callaspo, Meche
March 28
Kansas City Star
 
"The return of center fielder Rick Ankiel to the Royals' lineup is back on hold because of renewed soreness in his troublesome right ankle. That's only one piece of troubling injury news as the Royals move toward their season opener April 5 against Detroit at Kauffman Stadium. Club officials also remain anxious in tracking the status of infielder Alberto Callaspo and pitcher Gil Meche. Ankiel's latest problem represents an undeniable setback. He was scratched Saturday from duties as the designated hitter against Oakland in what would have been his first action in a Cactus League game since March 11. "He came out a little bit sooner than we'd hoped (Friday in a minor-league game)," manager"
Success of Royals' all-lefty outfield might hinge on Ankiel
March 19
Kansas City Star
 
"The likelihood of an all-lefty outfield, a rare occurrence, draws little concern from manager Trey Hillman as the Royals work their way toward opening day. It helps, certainly, that Chicago's Mark Buehrle and John Danks are the only left-handed starters of consequence among other teams in the American League Central Division. But Hillman also contends left fielder Scott Podsednik and right fielder David DeJesus more than hold their own against left-handed pitchers. "David has a good history (against lefties)," Hillman said. "Pod's best season, his most recent season, he was actually a little higher against left than he was right. I'm not too concerned about it." Numbers bear that out,"
Ankiel to be out for a week because of sore right ankle
March 15
Kansas City Star
 
"The sore right ankle bothering outfielder Rick Ankiel is now sufficiently troubling to the Royals that he isn't expected to play for a week. "It was better (Saturday)," manager Trey Hillman said, "but it was minimally better. It was better to the point where we felt like there wasn't anything major going on. "We've got until the end of the month, so I'm probably going to hold Rick out for the next six to seven days to make sure. We've still got plenty of time." Hillman revealed his plans before Sunday's game against Oakland at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Ankiel remained at the club's complex in Surprise, Ariz., where he received treatment. Ankiel, 30, was scratched from Friday's game"
Ankiel hits two homers, DeJesus goes three-for-three in scrimmage
March 3
Kansas City Star
 
"Rick Ankiel's first swing in a Royals' uniform outside of batting practice was a no-doubt homer Tuesday afternoon on a hanging changeup from Luke Hochevar. Nice way to make a first impression. It got better. Ankiel hit a second homer in this first of two intrasquad scrimmages prior to the Cactus League opener Thursday afternoon against campus-neighbor Texas in Surprise Stadium. Homer No. 2 came on a fat breaking ball from rookie Danny Duffy. "It's early," Ankiel said. "You have to remember it's early for everybody, and those guys will (soon) start spotting their pitches a little better. But for my first day, that was fun. No question.""
Former St. Louis Cardinal Rick Ankiel starts a new chapter
March 3
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Former Cardinals righthander Brad Thompson, vying for a spot on the Kansas City roster, played with new Royals center fielder Rick Ankiel for a half-dozen or so years in the Cardinals' organization, both when Ankiel was a pitcher and when he was a hitter. The maturation process of Ankiel has been a long, sometimes tortured one but what Thompson sees now is a more relaxed, confident Ankiel. "He's loving it," Thompson said. "He's as happy as can be. He's almost a team-leader type over here. "People gravitate toward him. He's not hard to approach. He's one of those guys who's pretty much done everything you can do in baseball. If you want to talk to somebody about something, Ank would be a"
Problem with Royals is Ankiel is an improvement
February 28
Kansas City Star
 
"A baseball man is standing 20 feet or so back as Rick Ankiel, dressed in his blue Royals practice jersey, digs in for his new team. Ankiel is important for the Royals. "Take a look," the man says. "He's got as much raw power as anybody you'll see." First swing, Ankiel hits a weak grounder to second base. The baseball man winces. He kicks lightly at the ground. It's the opening days of spring training and already Ankiel is matched against an image he may not live up to. Ankiel, the centerpiece addition to the Royals' 25-man roster, is the best place to start when talking about where they stand entering the fourth year of general manager Dayton Moore's attempt to shed the franchise's"
Royals' signing of Ankiel is baffling
January 26
Kansas City Star
 columnist Joe Posnanski
"I thought I had gone through all the stages of Royals grief. Denial? Well, of course. I love denial. That has been my default stage as a sports fan most of my life. Hey, maybe Denny Bautista will become a star. Hey, maybe this is the year for Dee Brown. Hey, maybe José Guillen's performance will not fall off a cliff. Hey, maybe Mike Jacobs will not play every day against lefties. And so on. Anger … I have never really felt much anger about the Royals. I was angry about some of the preposterously cheap moves the Royals have made, and I was angry about the way the organization mistreated Allard Baird at the end, but all that's something else. I suppose the Yuniesky Betancourt trade probably"
Ankiel picks Royals for chance to play center field
January 26
Kansas City Star
 
"Rick Ankiel is here, with the Royals, and it's in large part because he wants to play center field. That makes him the fourth player to think he's the starting center fielder since the disappointing 2009 season ended. This one figures to stick. "I wanted to play center," Ankiel said of his reasons for choosing the Royals. "Some of those other places, it wasn't going to be center." Ankiel received serious interest from the Nationals, and significant attention from the Marlins and Yankees. He came to Kansas City for a contract that pays him $2.75 million in salary for 2010, plus incentives and a $500,000 buyout on a mutual option for $6 million in 2011. To make room for Ankiel on the 40-man"
Royals snag outfielder Ankiel
January 23
Kansas City Star
 
"Rick Ankiel, the former Cardinals phenom pitcher-turned-outfielder, is on the move to Kansas City after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Royals, who may make him their new center fielder. The deal will need the weekend to be made final. Formalities such as a physical most likely will delay any announcement until Monday. The agreement gives Ankiel a $3.25 million guarantee for 2010 that includes a $500,000 buyout on a $6 million mutual option for 2011. The Royals' opening-day payroll now projects just below $70 million, thought to be the team's upper limit. Ankiel's addition dramatically changes the look of this season's team, particularly in center field. With 2009 opening-day starter"
Outfielder heads to Kansas City
January 23
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"After 12 seasons, often tumultuous, the Rick Ankiel era has ended with the Cardinals. Seeing limited playing time available to him here in 2010, Ankiel, a free agent for the first time in his career, has elected to take his new outfielding career across the state, where he says he has been told he'll be the center fielder for the Kansas City Royals this season. Ankiel, signed as a pitcher in 1997, agreed to a contract that will pay him a guaranteed $3.25 million this year, with a $6 million mutual option for 2011, pending his passing a physical in Kansas City next week. Now 30 years old, Ankiel hit just .231 with 11 homers and 38 runs batted in last year, never really recovering from"
Pirates focus on Dotel, dim outlook on Ankiel
January 9
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates have zeroed in on free-agent closer Octavio Dotel, according to multiple sources yesterday, but they might be looking away from outfielder Rick Ankiel. Dotel is one of several relievers the team has offered a contract, but he is atop their wish list. He is one of only three free-agent closers left, all represented by agent Dan Horwits, along with Jose Valverde and Kevin Gregg. The Pirates made an initial inquiry months ago on Valverde, perhaps the best of the group, but were turned off by the price. They also asked about Gregg in December, but that, according to a source, went little further. Dotel, 36, has not closed since early 2007, but he was a reliable setup man for closer"
Will Pirates land Ankiel?
January 7
Foxsports.com
 
"The Pirates want to sign free-agent outfielder Rick Ankiel, but their chances of completing a deal are in question. While one major-league source says he expects the Pirates to "win out" for Ankiel, a second source is more pessimistic. The Pirates' interest in Ankiel is "real," the second source said, but the team might fill its need with another player rather than continue waiting on Ankiel and his agent, Scott Boras. Ankiel, 30, would play right field for the Pirates, enabling the team to use Garrett Jones at first base. The Pirates also could add a different outfielder, or find a first baseman and play Jones in right."
Boras clients high on Red Sox's list
November 21
MLB.com
 
"It seems that every winter, the Red Sox always have plenty to talk about with agent Scott Boras. That could again be the case, with the Boston Herald -- citing a baseball source -- reporting Friday night that Boston has expressed at least some level of interest in outfielders Matt Holliday and Rick Ankiel, as well as lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez and third baseman Adrian Beltre. Yes, all four of those players are represented by Boras. The Red Sox and Boras, at the very least, discussed Holliday at the General Managers Meetings this month in Chicago. However, it is believed that Boston general manager Theo Epstein's preference is to retain Jason Bay, who is also a free agent. Look for"
Boras expects Ankiel 'to go somewhere'
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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"
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"