Pulsipher adds to wait with hamstring injury

ST. LOUIS -- Bill Pulsipher was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday with a mild to moderate strained right hamstring, another hurdle for the St. Louis Cardinals' left-hander to clear after a four-year absence from the major leagues.

Pulsipher beat long odds to make the team despite injuring the right hamstring earlier in spring training and breaking his right big toe when it was struck by a line drive. He's pitched in three games with St. Louis, allowing one run on two hits in 1 2-3 innings.

"It's pretty ridiculous," Pulsipher said. "The good thing is the arm's fine and the head's fine and I'm ready to pitch. It's just that the leg wants to act up right now."

The Cardinals recalled left-hander Carmen Cali from Triple-A Memphis to fill Pulsipher's roster spot. Pulsipher said his leg was feeling better, but manager Tony La Russa said he didn't even ask him how he felt.

"We know if it comes up again, we can't wait for it to get well," La Russa said. "We can't pitch short, so it's better to back him off, let him get well."

The move was made a day after right-handed reliever Cal Eldred was admitted to a hospital with a relapse of upper respiratory symptoms. Eldred, 37, missed the first two games of the season but pitched twice during the team's weekend series with the Phillies.

The decision didn't prevent Pulsipher from playing catch on Tuesday before the Cardinals played the Cincinnati Reds. He clearly wasn't happy about going on the DL, with the move backdated to Monday.

"My plan was to heat it up and wrap it up and go play today," Pulsipher said. "That's not going to be the case, but it's probably for the better so it's not a recurring injury."

Pulsipher was out four to five days the last time he injured the hamstring. He had felt it was completely healed.

"I think it's the same injury," he said. "Obviously, the circumstances are different because it's a week later, but that's about it. I don't think there was an issue anymore."

Cali worked three hitless innings, striking out two, at Memphis. He was impressive in limited duty with the Cardinals last fall.

"He could have pitched all year at Triple-A and it would have been good for him," La Russa said. "I just think he's coming quickly."