Isringhausen to come off DL on Thursday

ST. LOUIS -- All things considered, the St. Louis Cardinals' bullpen has done a pretty good job of holding the fort while Jason Isringhausen is out with a right abdominal strain.

The fill-ins had combined for seven saves in nine opportunities entering Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Al Reyes had three, Julian Tavarez had two and Randy Flores and Brad Thompson had one each.

Along with Isringhausen's perfect 7-for-7 start before getting injured April 27, the Cardinals have an NL-high 14 saves. That has helped the defending NL champions get off to a fast start with a league-leading 20-12 record.

But the days of mixing and matching should be over on Thursday, the first day Isringhausen is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list. Isringhausen threw 38 pitches in his third bullpen session on Tuesday and, as in the first two, had zero difficulties, and pitching coach Dave Duncan wants his hammer in the bullpen as soon as possible.

"I don't think you have to wait on anything," Duncan said. "I don't think there are any limitations. We'll treat him the same as we always do."

-- AP