Brian34Cook

BOSTON -- The Cardinals are dealing without three injured regulars as they begin a three-city Interleague trip: Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Cesar Izturis. They got news on all three Saturday, and the reports were good, bad and uncertain, respectively.

Thanks to the series of injuries, meanwhile, the Redbirds prepared to make a roster move. Carrying only 12 hitters in the first place, and with Molina and Izturis both at least limited if not entirely unavailable, the club made preparations to call up outfielder Nick Stavinoha as an extra warm body for the next few days.

While the Cardinals waited for a verdict on the severity of Izturis' injury, they also pondered a roster move. Stavinoha, rather than a middle infielder, is likely to be recalled from Triple-A Memphis in time for Sunday's game.


The Official Site of The St. Louis Cardinals: News: Word on injuries a mixed bag

Brian34Cook

BOSTON -- The Cardinals have decided to place Cesar Izturis on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, and while that's bad news for the team's infield defense, it means another opportunity for a farmhand.

The latest Memphis Redbird to shuttle up to the big league club will be Nick Stavinoha, a 2005 draftee who is enjoying a huge year in the Pacific Coast League. The righty-swinging outfielder is batting .346 with a .375 on-base percentage, a .519 slugging percentage and 10 home runs.

No move with Izturis and Stavinoha will be finalized until Sunday, but it is little more than a formality at this point. Because Stavinoha is not on the 40-man roster, he will have to be added there as well as the 25-man. To make room for him on the 40-man, Chris Carpenter will be transferred from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day.

Izturis out, Stavinoha set for debut

Brian34Cook

Stavinoha called up
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
06/22/2008

The club is expected to promote outfielder Nick Stavinoha from Triple-A Memphis. In order to make room on the 40-man roster for Stavinoha, the Cardinals likely will move pitcher Chris Carpenter to the 60-day disabled list.

Stavinoha, 26, arrives after a strong first half for the Redbirds. The team's seventh-round selection in the 2005 draft, Stavinoha has been classified as a man without a position but could find himself starting at first base Sunday against Red Sox lefthander Jon Lester. Stavinoha, a former middle linebacker at the University of Houston, arrives after leading the Redbirds with a .346 average and 50 runs batted in as well as 10 homers in 260 at-bats.

"The thinking was just looking at what he's done offensively we thought it would be a good shot in the arm for us," general manager John Mozeliak said. "We were looking for a way to get him on the roster at some point. Playing in the American League the rest of the week, it should be a chance to get him some at-bats."

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Izturis headed to the DL
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
06/22/2008

BOSTON — With insufficient depth to wait for a player to mend, the Cardinals will put shortstop Cesar Izturis on the disabled list before Sunday's series finale against the Boston Red Sox.

The Cardinals waited to finalize a move for a variety of reasons, primarily out of hope that Izturis' right hamstring would prove to be less severely injured than when he left Friday's game after three innings. Instead, Izturis awoke Saturday with more discomfort in the hamstring. Team medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta confirmed the course of action after examining Izturis at the team hotel.

"It hurt worse this morning," Izturis said. "I thought my leg might get better, but it didn't, so I have to do this. I hate to miss time, but it's the only way it's going to get better."

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