Cardinals DL Rick Ankiel, want full-strength bench
ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals placed center fielder Rick Ankiel on the 15-day disabled list this morning so that they could return their bench to full and healthy strength. Outfielder Shane Robinson, one of the leading hitters for the Class AAA affiliate, was promoted and will be activated before today’s game.
“I think the important thing here is that Rick will get regular treatment, and he’ll get a chance to recover without the day-to-day rigors of playing at the major-league level,” general manager John Mozeliak said.
Ankiel will go to the team’s facility in Jupiter, Fla., to begin his rehab.
By being at the club’s spring training campus, he’ll be able to take part in baseball activities while also being close to his offseason home. Mozeliak said he does not expect Ankiel’s absence to linger past the 15 days mandated by the move. But he added with 13 pitchers on the roster the team cannot go without a completely healthy bench. Carrying a player who cannot play handcuffs the manager.
Robinson just came off the disabled list at Triple-A Memphis. He was on with a cyst on his right calf — a soreness that was considered a roadblock to his promotion. In Omaha on Wednesday night, Robinson started and scored three runs.
His asset is speed and a high-average bat. The combination of the two allows him to compensate for a lack of power by turning singles into doubles. At Class AA Springfield last season, he often turned a walk into a run with his ability to steal bases and take extra bases.
“Speed. Defense. He’s a very complete player,” Mozeliak said. “Look at the tools he has. He can provide extra-base hits, and I think he showed in spring training that he’s a high-energy player. The situation we’re in with only 12 position players means you need to have everyone available.”
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Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
I like how they brought up Robinson when we have a “full” outfield. Just goes to show Duncan is not as good as some like to think!
Ridiculous comment^. They lost an OF and added an OF. What does that have to do with Duncan?
Speed…..glorious speed! When he plays, I fully expect to see the pitcher hitting 8th.
Saw Shane in Spring Training and he hit a solo home run, stole two bases, and had an RBI in the two games he played….This kid is great! I’m so happy for him!
Don’t get the first comment…Ankiel is an OF, and we promoted an Of to take another OF’s spot?
like the stash must be a member of mensa with such an insightful and logical response.
In regards to first comment: As others said, OF to replace an OF…but ALSO…we were running with only 1 backup outfielder, anyway (not counting Skip who has to be considered a 2B now). With Ank out, we did NOT have a full outfield. 3 OFs doesn’t give you ANY backup/protection…not to mention pinch-hitting ability. Robinson gives you all of that. Remember, we usually play with 5 OFs…but precisely because Dunc HAS been so good this year, we’re making it with 4 on the roster. Robinson is the 4th OF now.
Sheesh…enough already with the Duncan bashing…he’s a good player. Leave him alone and accept/admit you were wrong about him last year.
Saw Robinson play in AA Springfield. Good bat, good speed, excellent arm. In between innings he twice threw a ball on the fly from left field corner to bullpen catcher standing in foul territory in right field.
Irrationality abounds. How is the outfield “full” when one of the 4 outfielders is on the DL? I guess it’s not possible for any other member of the outfield to get hurt, huh?
Yeah, Duncan is awful. I don’t see why would keep a guy with 18 RBI, a .385 OBP, a .523 SLG, for a .907 OPS in the first month. Is it because he doesn’t hit LHP? Oh wait, his AVG and SLG are the same against RHP and LHP.
The outfield on this team is a strength from all 4 of the regulars, but they can’t survive with only 3 on the roster, even for 15 days. I hope Robinson makes his presence felt during this short audition. It will be fun to see some real speed on the team.
I really the fact that Duncan is playing well — as should all Cardinals fans because even if you don’t want him to play regularly or realize he’s not a very good fielder — he is increasing his trade value for a good young pitcher by proving he’s healthy and can hit/get on base regularly as a middle of the lineup guy and he’s hitting lefties too (which our other lefthanded outfielders can’t do right now — i.e. Ankiel, Rasmus and Schu)!!
I am also happy for him since I think he would be better off playing 1B or combo 1B/DH for another team and would have a more rewarding career!! He was drafted the same year as Pujols!!
Now whether the Cards want to or Mo has the guts to trade him later on is another question for another time!!
Bring me a good young pitcher in a trade/package because we don’t seem able to develop them on a regular basis!!