KingFish
02-28-2002, 12:10 PM
Wednesday, February 27
St. Louis Cardinals The Cardinals have taken a low-key approach with Rick Ankiel this spring, but manager Tony La Russa said Wednesday that he'd like the 22-year-old lefty to be one of the team's five starters this season, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Based on what he's seen so far in spring training, La Russa said that Ankiel would be one of the five starters. "He could help make us real good," La Russa said, "and without him it would be hard to be real good."
Ankiel has been flawless throwing from a bullpen mound and in three sessions against hitters, most recently on Tuesday. The command that mysteriously vanished during the 2000 playoffs and remained absent last spring and early last season has returned without any loss of velocity.
His next test is a start Sunday against the Montreal Expos.
"I feel like I want to feel. I'm satisfied I'm right where I want to be" Ankiel said after Wednesday's morning workout.
Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said that the club is intentionally playing down Ankiel's progress for two reasons: He has yet to clear the hurdle of facing major-league hitters, and there is no rush to build expectations as Ankiel works through the problems that plagued him the past two seasons.
St. Louis Cardinals The Cardinals have taken a low-key approach with Rick Ankiel this spring, but manager Tony La Russa said Wednesday that he'd like the 22-year-old lefty to be one of the team's five starters this season, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Based on what he's seen so far in spring training, La Russa said that Ankiel would be one of the five starters. "He could help make us real good," La Russa said, "and without him it would be hard to be real good."
Ankiel has been flawless throwing from a bullpen mound and in three sessions against hitters, most recently on Tuesday. The command that mysteriously vanished during the 2000 playoffs and remained absent last spring and early last season has returned without any loss of velocity.
His next test is a start Sunday against the Montreal Expos.
"I feel like I want to feel. I'm satisfied I'm right where I want to be" Ankiel said after Wednesday's morning workout.
Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said that the club is intentionally playing down Ankiel's progress for two reasons: He has yet to clear the hurdle of facing major-league hitters, and there is no rush to build expectations as Ankiel works through the problems that plagued him the past two seasons.