ankiel messes up again

[pmeares17]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/0303/1344967.html

[amag]

It's too early to tell... I think that the Cardinals may have made a mistake sending him back to rookie ball. This whole thing is mental, as he reportedly has shown great control in throwing sessions early this spring. I think he has to face it head on.

I hope for the best from him this year, but Stephenson has been looking pretty good so I don't think it will matter even if he does bad. Stephenson is entirely capable of winning 16 games again if he doesn't show any ill effects this spring, and could wind up getting himself traded if he's good enough. I would like the Cardinals trading him alot more than I would like them trading Veres.

[Baseball Guru]

By Associated Press

March 5, 2002, 3:57 PM EST


VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Rick Ankiel will miss his next scheduled spring training start for the St. Louis Cardinals because of pain in his left elbow.

Ankiel, 22, allowed six runs in two innings Sunday in his first start of the spring, giving up a grand slam to Lee Stevens. On Monday, the left-hander reported feeling pain.

Pitching coach Dave Duncan described the injury as tightness.

"The doctors don't think it's anything serious," Duncan said. "I didn't know anything about it until the next day."

Instead of starting Friday against the Minnesota Twins, Ankiel, will throw in the bullpen, if the elbow allows. He's scheduled to make his second spring start next week.

Ankiel has struggled with his control since the 2000 playoffs, when he threw nine wild pitches in four innings. Last season he ended up in rookie ball.

In his first spring start, he walked the first two batters on nine pitches. He allowed five runs and six hits.