Cards put off Edmonds move

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals delayed making a move with injured Jim Edmonds on Friday, at least for the weekend, although they added an outfielder to the roster.

Edmonds hasn't played since Sunday and hasn't started in a week due to what the team described as a mild to moderate abdominal strain. He visited a specialist in sports hernia's on Wednesday, who ruled out that injury.

"We're going to hold off on a decision for a day or so," trainer Barry Weinberg said. "We need to see how he feels.

The Cardinals got good news on injured Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter.

The right-hander went on the DL with bursitis in his shoulder on Tuesday and is due to return to the rotation next week after passing his second bullpen session in four days. Carpenter threw an extended session and just like earlier in the week reported no physical issues.

"I threw everything, all of my pitches," Carpenter said. "It was longer, and I definitely felt good.

"As long as tomorrow there's nothing affecting me, no soreness, nothing like that, I'll be fine."

Edmonds, who was batting .241 with five homers and 29 RBIs in 43 games, said he could do everything except run. A timetable for his return is unknown, although Edmonds said he felt better on Friday.

"Whatever's best for the team," he said. "Nobody wants to go on the DL, but it's not up to me."

The Cardinals were worried enough to purchase the contract of outfielder Timo Perez from Triple-A Memphis. They made room for Perez by optioning rookie pitcher Anthony Reyes back to Memphis.

"I think they're just concerned that it can become something more than what it is right now," Edmonds said. "It helps to be cautious, but to be cautious for 15 days, I don't know.

"That's a big baseball decision, and they're obviously more qualified than I am."

Carpenter, 4-2 with a 2.63 ERA, is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds. That's the first day he's eligible after the DL move was backdated to May 22.

Reyes took Carpenter's last start on Tuesday.

Perez, 31, was batting .318 at Memphis with five homers and 16 RBIs in 37 games. He played on the Chicago White Sox last year and is a career .263 hitter, also playing for the Mets.

"He was the guy that was playing the best, and that's what you preach," manager Tony La Russa said.

Perez said through celebrity interpreter Albert Pujols, that he had been hopeful of getting the Cardinals' attention.

"I don't know how long I'm going to stay here, but I'm just happy to be here to help out," Perez said. "I knew Jimmy was hurt and I was probably one of the guys they were going to call up."