Reyes placed on DL, Thompson to start today

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals placed Anthony Reyes on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right elbow Wednesday night, hours before he was to replace injured Todd Wellemeyer in the rotation.

Right-hander Brad Thompson, who had been set for a rehab appearance tonight for Class AAA Memphis, instead will throw in the final game of a three-game series against the Royals. Thompson has been on the DL since April 23 with an elbow injury.

"I knew there was something there, but I didn't think it was serious," Reyes said. "I think it's more precautionary than anything.

"They don't want me starting a game knowing it's going to be in there in the back of my mind."

Reyes said earlier in the day that he was prepared to pitch despite elbow irritation that prompted a medical exam, but his status was a question in manager Tony La Russa's mind, even though Reyes said he'd been told by team physician Dr. George Paletta that he was suffering from normal pitching wear and tear.

"I feel like I'm good enough, yeah," Reyes said. "I'll be fine."

La Russa said the doctor visit was enough of a red flag for him.

"He had some elbow soreness pitching at Triple-A and we didn't think it was a problem," La Russa said. "You never risk a pitcher."

Reyes is 2-1 with a 4.91 ERA in 10 relief appearances, gaining a victory with a scoreless inning Sunday. He was 1-2 with a 3.28 ERA in seven starts for Memphis before being recalled last weekend.

Long considered one of the team's best prospects, Reyes beat the Detroit Tigers in the 2006 World Series opener, but was 2-14 with a 6.04 ERA last season.

Wellemeyer, 7-2 with a 3.67 ERA in his first full year as a starter, is skipping a turn for the second time this month.

Mark Mulder is scheduled for a rehab start today for Memphis, coming off five scoreless innings in his previous outing for Class AA Springfield. Matt Clement (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch Friday for Memphis.

Right-hander Chris Carpenter threw a bullpen session Wednesday without issues and is scheduled to throw again on Friday.

-- The Associated Press