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03-26-2002, 06:55 PM
News
3/25/2002 6:35 am ET
Ankiel sidelined indefinitely
By Jared Hoffman
MLB.com
It had been clear for some time that Rick Ankiel wouldn't be opening the season in St. Louis. But after getting back the results of an MRI on his sore elbow, Ankiel won't be opening the season anywhere. The test revealed an elbow strain as well as tendinitis, and Ankiel will be shut down indefinitely.
Ankiel hasn't seen action in an "A" game since March 3, when he pitched two innings against the Expos and then reported stiffness in his elbow. The condition was diagnosed as tendinitis and, after about a week of rest, Ankiel said the elbow was feeling better.
He began a throwing program and saw enough improvement to where he was able to pitch a couple of innings in a Class A game on one of the practice fields last Saturday. However, Ankiel reported more soreness in the elbow and was sent to the hospital for an MRI.
"When he comes back, he's going to have go through another entire Spring Training," trainer Barry Weinberg told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "He pretty much has to start over."
Ankiel was one of the Cardinals' top starters in 2000, but he lost command of his pitches in the postseason and the problem carried over into 2001, when he was sent down to the minors to work on the problem. When Ankiel has pitched this spring, he has thrown mostly strikes but his velocity appeared to be down.
Jared Hoffman covers the Cardinals for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
3/25/2002 6:35 am ET
Ankiel sidelined indefinitely
By Jared Hoffman
MLB.com
It had been clear for some time that Rick Ankiel wouldn't be opening the season in St. Louis. But after getting back the results of an MRI on his sore elbow, Ankiel won't be opening the season anywhere. The test revealed an elbow strain as well as tendinitis, and Ankiel will be shut down indefinitely.
Ankiel hasn't seen action in an "A" game since March 3, when he pitched two innings against the Expos and then reported stiffness in his elbow. The condition was diagnosed as tendinitis and, after about a week of rest, Ankiel said the elbow was feeling better.
He began a throwing program and saw enough improvement to where he was able to pitch a couple of innings in a Class A game on one of the practice fields last Saturday. However, Ankiel reported more soreness in the elbow and was sent to the hospital for an MRI.
"When he comes back, he's going to have go through another entire Spring Training," trainer Barry Weinberg told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "He pretty much has to start over."
Ankiel was one of the Cardinals' top starters in 2000, but he lost command of his pitches in the postseason and the problem carried over into 2001, when he was sent down to the minors to work on the problem. When Ankiel has pitched this spring, he has thrown mostly strikes but his velocity appeared to be down.
Jared Hoffman covers the Cardinals for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.