With Edmonds ailing, Taguchi returns

ST. LOUIS -- A minor groin injury to outfielder Jim Edmonds on Wednesday prompted the St. Louis Cardinals to recall outfielder So Taguchi from Class-AAA Memphis.

Taguchi was in the lineup playing center field and batting eighth against the Chicago Cubs.

"He adds a lot to our team," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "I think mostly we need somebody to play center field for a few days, or however long Jim is not around or unavailable."

Edmonds was scratched about 90 minutes before game time on Tuesday, and manager Tony La Russa said he may be out for another couple days. Ray Lankford played center field for the first time since 2001 on Tuesday and was unable to track down Aramis Ramirez' game-winning, two-run double in the eighth inning to the right-center gap.

To make room for Taguchi on the roster, the Cardinals optioned catcher Cody McKay to Memphis. McKay became the third catcher when Mike Matheny returned from a rib-cage injury last week and thus was expendable.

McKay was batting .230 with four RBIs in 61 at-bats.

Taguchi entered the night hitting .258 with one homer and five RBIs.

-- AP