St. Louis Cardinals Wiretap

Walker Returns To Cardinals Line-Up With A Home Run

Larry Walker, returning to the lineup Wednesday after missing five straight starts with a herniated disc in his neck, homered in his first two at-bats against the Cincinnati Reds.

The often-injured outfielder hopes a cortisone shot he received on Monday will allow him to play to his ability. He's struggled while dealing with several ailments this season, hitting .247 with seven home runs and 29 RBI in 58 games. Walker, 38, has talked of retiring after the season.

"Hopefully everything gets better quick because I'm tired of really talking about it," Walker said. "I'm back for a day, at least."

Walker hit a two-run homer on the first pitch he saw from Ramon Ortiz in the second inning. He hit another two-run shot, his ninth, off Ortiz in the third.

Via ESPN

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Walker Undergoes MRI On Neck And Shoulder

Outfielder Larry Walker had an MRI exam of his ailing neck and left shoulder on Thursday that showed his condition is unchanged.

Walker, 38, has been bothered by a herniated disc and received a cortisone injection earlier this season.

"I might go and take another needle to relieve it," Walker said. "They say the second or the third one usually works better than the first. I've also heard nothing is the way to make it work. This is all speculative stuff.

"I've been playing with it. It's not something that's got me confined to a wheelchair. It limits me in some things. I don't think it's something serious."

Cardinals physician Dr. George Paleta said the exam showed "essentially the same findings" as Walker's MRI earlier in the season.

Via ESPN

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Rolen Expected To Be Activated From DL After Missing 33 Games

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Scott Rolen could be activated from the 15-day disabled list Saturday after missing 33 games with a left shoulder strain.

Rolen took batting practice, ran the bases and fielded grounders Friday before the Cardinals began a weekend series at Tampa Bay.

"Scott had a very good workout," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. "If he has a good night and a good morning, there's a chance he'll be activated tomorrow."

Rolen was placed on the disabled list May 12. He hit .257 with five homers and 20 RBI in 30 games this season.

"I think he just felt like he really improved over the last three, four days," La Russa said.

Via ESPN

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Walker Will Mull Retirment At Season's End

Larry Walker entered the St. Louis Cardinals' game at Toronto on Monday night hitting just .249 with five homers and 23 RBIs.

``A lot of people say you know when your time is up. I had an inclination last year that my time was up. I just decided to play this year and see what happens,'' Walker said. ``It's a grind. The age and the surgeries that I've had are what's pushing me back, eight surgeries and a reconstructed knee. Father time is creeping on me, and I realize that.''

Walker said he'll retire for sure if the Cardinals win the World Series. He'll also consider moving to an American League team and becoming a designated hitter.

``I think my heart will still be there, but my body is saying, `Come on buddy,''' Walker said.

Via Yahoo!

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The Big Unit Gives Yankees A Big Performance

A day after the New York Yankees got a tongue-lashing from their manager, Johnson outpitched Mark Mulder in a matchup of two of the game's best left-handers and beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-0 Saturday.

``I thought we played with a lot more intensity today,'' Derek Jeter said. ``It doesn't hurt that Randy pitched well, too.''

Jeter and Alex Rodriguez each had two RBIs for the Yankees in their third victory in 11 games on a season-high 12-game trip. New York's sloppy three-error performance in an 8-1 loss Friday night prompted the usually even-keeled Torre to call a closed-door meeting.

``Certainly, we're closer to the team you saw today than last night,'' Torre said. ``Last night was just a horrible experience for all us. We just have to build on something.''

Johnson (6-5) allowed four two-out hits in seven innings to bounce back from losses in consecutive starts

Via Yahoo!

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