Cardinals' Wellemeyer may be headed to DL, Boggs called up

ST. LOUIS -- Todd Wellemeyer's return to the St. Louis Cardinals' rotation might have to wait indefinitely after the right-hander complained of a sore elbow following a bullpen session.

Manager Tony La Russa said Wellemeyer, 7-9 with a 5.67 ERA for the NL Central leaders, could be headed for the 15-day disabled list. Wellemeyer said his elbow bothered him while playing catch the day after a side session and the pitcher said a team doctor diagnosed inflammation and prescribed rest.

"The side went incredibly well," Wellemeyer said Monday. "I threw yesterday and it just flared up on me big-time. I'll take some time off."

Mitchell Boggs was set to replace Wellemeyer tonight against the Cincinnati Reds. Boggs was optioned to Memphis after starting July 31 and was back with the team Monday, expecting to be recalled before the game.

Wellemeyer has allowed no runs in 2 1/3 innings in two relief appearances since being demoted to the bullpen after his last start July 26. La Russa said reports of Wellemeyer's ill-fated bullpen session were "outstanding."

"Maybe he overextended himself," the manager said. "I just know everybody was real excited about the bullpen. But he's sore."

Boggs was set to be recalled even though he struggled in his last minor league start, allowing seven earned runs in five innings Aug. 6. Boggs, 6-4 with a 4.83 ERA overall at Memphis, said high winds played a factor in that outing.

"It was an unusual set of circumstances," Boggs said. "That's not an excuse, I pitched bad, but I think it was a 10-9 game so both sides were putting runs up."

Boggs said it didn't come as a surprise that the Cardinals chose him as the fill-in. He's set to pitch on regular rest.

"I got called up last year out of nowhere," he said. "So you learn to show up every day prepared and see what happens."

-- AP