Catcher to go on 10-day rehab assignment

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals backup catcher Chris Widger will begin a 10-day rehab assignment in the next few days, working on some new positions as the team tries to figure out a way to keep him.

The Cardinals, who played the Reds into extra innings late Tuesday, already have two catchers, Mike Matheny and Joe Girardi, and manager Tony La Russa doesn't want to carry three along with a 12-man pitching staff. So Widger, on the disabled list since June 7 because of a bruised nerve in his right thumb, must prove his value elsewhere if he wants to stay with St. Louis.

Widger took ground balls at first base before Tuesday night's game against the Reds and will concentrate on that position and the outfield during his rehab assignment at Triple-A Memphis. He'll also catch pitcher Russ Springer (elbow), due to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday.

Widger is hoping to fill the role held by Eli Marrero, a backup catcher who branched out to the outfield before going on the DL with torn ankle ligaments on May 13.

"I guess I'll do a little bit of what Eli was doing," Widger said. "Apparently they would like for me to stay here, but there's just no way to do that right now.

"This lets them buy some time and at worst it gets me back in playing shape, and that's what I want."

The 10-day rehab is half of what the Cardinals wanted. It's a compromise for Widger, who said last week that he wouldn't accept a minor league assignment.

"We like him, and he needs to get in shape," La Russa said.

If Widger's rehab experiment is successful, outfielder Kerry Robinson could be vulnerable. Robinson has been demoted twice already this season and was batting .186 in 70 at-bats with no homers and three RBIs.

"I like it here," Widger said. "I don't want to play for a loser." and I don't want to play at Triple-A so hopefully it all works out."

Widger still has numbness in the thumb, but has feeling in the tip. He was injured when he hit the helmet of the Orioles' Melvin Mora while making a throw to second base on June 6.

"It doesn't limit me," he said. "I can throw and do everything."