Morris to start Saturday

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals pitcher Matt Morris, sidelined with a broken hand and sprained left ankle since July 22, will start Saturday without the benefit of a rehab assignment.

The Cardinals decided to give Morris, the staff ace the last three seasons, the ball after he pitched in a simulated game at Pittsburgh last week and then threw about 70 pitches in the bullpen on Wednesday. On Thursday, he reported no problems so they plan to activate him off the 15-day disabled list in time for Saturday's game against the Phillies.

"It's not the perfect setup but he's ready to challenge it," manager Tony La Russa said. "It's late August and there's not a whole lot of time."

Morris' left ankle is his landing foot, and it was still swollen and black and blue on Thursday. But Morris, 8-6 with a 4.16 ERA, said he was ready to go.

-- AP