Cardinals place Ankiel on waivers

HOUSTON -- Rick Ankiel was placed on unconditional release waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals, who are waiting to find out whether he will be claimed by another team.

Ankiel, who was on the Cardinals' opening-day roster Sunday, was out of options. He has a $400,000 salary, and the Cardinals have said they hope to have him in their minor league system if he is not claimed by another team.

He ended his pitching career last month because of recurring wildness, then started working out as an outfielder. The Cardinals would like to send him to the minors to relearn a position he hasn't played since high school.

Ankiel, 25, has a .207 career average in the major leagues with two homers, a double, a triple and nine RBIs in 87 at-bats. He impressed as a designated hitter for the Cardinals' rookie league team in Johnson City, Tenn., hitting 10 homers in 2001.

St. Louis purchased the contract of left-hander Bill Pulsipher from Triple-A Memphis. Pulsipher, who hadn't pitched in the majors since 2001, earned a roster spot after pitching shutout ball in 10 spring appearances.

The Cardinals also placed right-hander Matt Morris on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, allowing him to continue his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery. Morris was expected to begin the season on DL after undergoing a minor procedure on his right shoulder in December.

St. Louis filled a roster spot by purchasing the contract of second baseman Abraham Nunez from Memphis.

-- AP