St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals pitching prospect shows stuff in 5-4 loss (03/03/08)
JUPITER, Fla. -- St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Kyle McClellan gave a standout performance Sunday, even as the Cardinals lost 5-4 in a spring training matchup against the Florida Marlins. Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa said he was impressed with McClellan's performance. McClellan started and pitched three scoreless innings using just 32 pitches, only throwing 10 balls...

Gonzalez, Reyes open strong in Cards' exhibition victory (02/29/08)
JUPITER, Fla. -- Juan Gonzalez, trying to make the St. Louis roster as a reserve, got two hits and drove in a run Thursday as the Cardinals poste a 7-0 exhibition win over the New York Mets. At 38, Gonzalez is a two-time AL MVP with 434 career home runs. He sat out the last two years -- in 2005 he tore a hamstring in his only at-bat while with Cleveland...

Cards release Spiezio after six charges filed (02/28/08)
IRVINE, Calif. -- Utilityman Scott Spiezio was released by the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday after being charged in a six-count complaint involving drunken driving and assault in a December car crash. "We had heard some things about this," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. "Ultimately nothing was ever confirmed to the level it was today. To have this warrant put out there, it completely changes the landscape of what we're dealing with."...

La Russa plans to bat pitchers eighth this year (02/27/08)
JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Tuesday that his pitchers would bat eighth in spring training games in which the designated hitter is not used. La Russa then plans to continue the practice once the regular season starts. "We'll hit the pitcher eighth," he said Tuesday. "We're going to have a second leadoff as the ninth-place hitter."...

Ankiel shows strong work habit in camp (02/26/08)
JUPITER, Fla. -- Rick Ankiel is finally close to being where he wants to be for the next 10 years after making the transition from starting pitcher to an everyday outfielder. His path to a starter in the Cardinals' outfield -- most likely in center field -- was not an easy one as he battled injuries, family issues and questions about his use of human growth hormone...

La Russa has sought Bonds' bat for Cards haCardinals'front office (02/26/08)
JUPITER, Fla. -- St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa had interest in signing Barry Bonds the last two offseasons, but each time the team's front office decided against it. La Russa, who was looking for a power bat to protect No. 3 hitter Albert Pujols each year, said he was told the asking price for the home run king was too high. This winter, La Russa said he dropped the issue after a discussion with new general manager John Mozeliak...

Wellemeyer competes for Cards' rotation (02/25/08)
JUPITER, Fla. -- St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Todd Wellemeyer is vying for one of two early openings at the bottom of the rotation. He sees the opportunity as Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder recuperate from surgery and Matt Clement rebuilds arm strength after recovering from surgery...

Patient approach with Clement (02/22/08)
JUPITER, Fla. -- Matt Clement does not consider himself a historian, but when the St. Louis Cardinals called during the offseason, the significance of playing for his third consecutive storied franchise was noted. "I don't take lightly the history of playing for the Cubs, the Red Sox and now for the Cardinals," Clement said. "Not only [did I] get to play for those three cities, but play for them in competitive times...

Cards minor leaguer draws 50-game suspension (02/21/08)
NEW YORK -- A minor league pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization was suspended Wednesday for the first 50 games of the season after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Scott Vander Weg, a 25-year-old righty, was 5-5 with a 4.12 ERA for Palm Beach in the Class A Florida State League last year...

With Rolen gone, Villone gets No. 27 (02/21/08)
JUPITER, Fla. -- The St. Louis Cardinals wasted no time handing out Scott Rolen's old number. Left-handed pitcher Ron Villone, signed to a minor-league contract Tuesday, arrived at spring training camp Wednesday and was given jersey No. 27, previously worn by the third baseman dealt to Toronto in the offseason in exchange for Troy Glaus...

Gonzalez brings rookie-like excitement to camp (02/20/08)
JUPITER, Fla. -- Juan Gonzalez has two MVP awards, two home run titles, one RBI crown and six Silver Sluggers. Yet, he walked into the St. Louis Cardinals spring training with the excitement of a player half his 38 years. "I feel like a rookie invited to big league camp after two years off," he said Tuesday, the first day of full-squad workouts. "I'm coming back for a big challenge. This is opening doors for myself. I'm here working hard to see what happens."...

Reyes' spring training regimen includes forgetting 2-14 record in '07 (02/19/08)
JUPITER, Fla. -- St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Anthony Reyes is hoping the work he did during the offseason will help him forget about his disappointing 2007 season. During his first season as a starter in 2006, Reyes had a 5-8 record and a 5.06 ERA, which was enough potential to get him named to the starting rotation early in the spring of 2007. But in 20 starts last season, he had a 2-14 record and a 6.04 ERA...

Healthy reply ends questions (02/18/08)
JUPITER, Fla. -- St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jason Isringhausen owns flashy vintage cars and a big personality but he's happy this spring training to skip the attention. Isringhausen sat quietly with little notice in the Cardinals clubhouse through the first three days of practice for pitchers. It's very different from last season when he entered camp still rehabbing from arthroscopic hip surgery and every pitch was analyzed by coaches and the media...

Redbirds pitchers, catchers report to camp (02/15/08)
JUPITER, Fla. -- Brad Thompson got a chance to be a starter last season and liked it. As he and other pitchers and catchers reported to spring training for the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, he said he's eager to try and earn a spot in the rotation...

Rotation questions, departures create questions for Cards (02/14/08)
ST. LOUIS -- It's been a while since expectations were this muted for the St. Louis Cardinals entering spring training. Those remaining from the franchise's time at the top have lost none of their confidence, however. Despite the rebuilding vibe, or perhaps out of habit after five postseason appearances, two 100-win seasons and a World Series championship this decade, nobody is conceding anything...

Opening day tickets available in online drawing (02/14/08)
ST. LOUIS -- Opening Day is a month-and-a-half away, and the St. Louis Cardinals have announced plans for ticket sales for the March 31 game against the defending National League champion Colorado Rockies. Opening Day tickets are available through a random online drawing. Fans must first register online no later than noon Wednesday...

Gonzalez will attempt comeback with Cardinals (02/05/08)
ST. LOUIS -- Juan Gonzalez is trying a comeback with the St. Louis Cardinals. After sitting out the past two seasons, the two-time AL MVP will be one of 26 non-roster players invited to St. Louis' spring training camp this month. The 38-year-old Gonzalez last played regularly in 2003, when he had 24 home runs and 70 RBIs in 324 at-bats for the Texas Rangers. He had one at-bat with Cleveland in 2005 before injuring his hamstring...

Cards reach deal with Wellemeyer (01/29/08)
ST. LOUIS -- Pitcher Todd Wellemeyer and the St. Louis Cardinals avoided arbitration, agreeing to a $1 million, one-year contract. The deal includes performance bonuses that could be worth another $100,000. Wellemeyer was the last Cardinals player remaining in arbitration. He made $635,000 last season and was seeking $1,325,000. The Cardinals had offered $875,000...

La Russa expresses displeasure with Kennedy's absence at event (01/23/08)
ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is annoyed that second baseman Adam Kennedy skipped the team's annual Winter Warmup. "I'm disappointed he's not here," La Russa said. "This is a statement we make to our fans: 'Thanks for coming out,' and he's not here."...