Struggling Morris has next start moved back

ST. LOUIS -- Struggling St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matt Morris, previously scheduled to start the first game after the All-Star break on Thursday, will now make his first post-break start the following Monday.

That will give him 10 days' rest before his next outing.

"Based on how we're going to set the second half, we're doing the right thing," manager Tony La Russa said. "Put that together with the way he's feeling and the exams and all the mechanical work, and I think he'll be set up real well."

Morris underwent an MRI exam on Saturday that showed no structural problems. At that time, La Russa reiterated that Morris would pitch in the first game after the break and would have to work out his mechanical problems on the job.

Morris has allowed 38 earned runs in his last 41 innings in his last eight starts, hiking his ERA from 2.26 to 4.19. He complained of a sore shoulder in early June and since then has been out of whack mechanically.

His fastball, in particular, has suffered a drop of several mph.

La Russa said the revamped rotation after the break he's "penciled" in has Garrett Stephenson (4-9) pitching on Thursday, followed by Brett Tomko (5-6), Dan Haren (0-2), Woody Williams (12-3) and Morris (8-6).

-- Associated Press