Cardinals prospect Rasmus to miss Olympic Games

ST. LOUIS -- Outfielder Colby Rasmus, one of the St. Louis Cardinals' top prospects, will not participate with Team USA in the upcoming Olympic Games because of a sprained left knee.

The team said in a release Wednesday that Rasmus, who plays at Class AAA Memphis, likely would be sidelined a month. An MRI exam revealed what the team termed a Grade I, or minor, sprain.

Rasmus, 21, was the Cardinals' minor league player of the year his first two professional seasons. He batted in the first inning of Tuesday night's game and then was taken out.

"Injuries are part of the game," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "But it's not something that's real serious, so it could be worse."

The team's No. 1 draft pick in 2005 is hitting .249 with 11 home runs, 36 RBIs and 15 stolen bases after a slow start. He was batting .214 after the first two months.

Last season Rasmus led the Texas League with 29 homers and had 72 RBIs for Class AA Springfield.

Rasmus, long considered the heir apparent to Jim Edmonds in center field, had been considered an outside shot to make the team in spring training. The Cardinals have leaned on another outfield prospect, with Joe Mather in his third stint with the team.

-- AP