Cardinals put Wellemeyer on 15-day DL

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals pitcher Todd Wellemeyer was placed on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow Tuesday, a day after the team scratched him from a scheduled return to the rotation.

Wellemeyer has been told to rest the elbow for five days. St. Louis made the move retroactive to Aug. 5.

"It makes sense," Wellemeyer said. "It's nothing serious, so I'm glad about that."

The Cardinals recalled rookie right-hander Mitchell Boggs from Class AAA Memphis to start against the Cincinnati Reds. Boggs, 1-0 with a 3.29 ERA in five starts, joined the team Monday in anticipation he'd be replacing Wellemeyer.

Wellemeyer was a 13-game winner last year, but is 7-9 with a 5.67 ERA this season. He has worked two scoreless relief appearances totaling 2 1-3 innings after being removed from the rotation late last month.

Wellemeyer injured the elbow Sunday playing catch in Pittsburgh, a day after throwing a bullpen session that had the team eager to see him in a game again.

"He's just got some issues there," manager Tony La Russa said. "Hopefully in 15 days he'll be ready to go."

Wellemeyer missed one start in June 2008 with a similar elbow injury, resting after trying to come back too quickly and giving up eight earned runs in 3 1-3 innings against Philadelphia.

Boggs is in his third stint with the Cardinals. He was optioned to Memphis after allowing two runs in five innings of a victory over Houston on July 31.