ST. LOUIS – The Cardinals convened at Busch Stadium Thursday afternoon for an optional workout before boarding their charter flight to Cincinnati, where they will open the second half of the season Friday night against the Reds.
And here's a look at some of the news and notes from a busy afternoon at the ballpark…
Traveling man
Lance Berkman flew with the team to Cincinnati Thursday and hopes to be activated from the disabled list as early as Saturday. The original plan was for Berkman to make a rehab appearance in the minor leagues but he said he feels good enough that it's no longer necessary.
"If I felt like it would do me a lot of good to go out and get a bunch of at-bats, I would have done it," Berkman said. "But I feel like I've lost enough of the season and I'd like to get back as quickly as I can and this is a way that enables me to do that."
The switch-hitter hasn't played since injuring his right knee on May 19. He had surgery shortly after to repair a torn meniscus and cartilage damage. He's played in just 13 games this season but is hitting .333 and has seven extra-base hits.
Under the knife
Kyle McClellan had shoulder surgery this week and will miss the rest of the season. The reliever had begun a throwing program while rehabbing from an injured elbow when pain arrived in the shoulder on a recent throw.
The surgery, which was to repair a split capsule and clean up his labrum, should allow him to be ready for spring training next year.
"It's a little bit of relief knowing it can be fixed and I can pitch without pain again, which I haven't been doing for the last year," McClellan said. "It's disappointing for sure, you definitely want to be back and I thought I was so close, but knowing that we can get it fixed and I can come back and be pain free and be the pitcher I was in 2010 and the first half of last year, it's encouraging as well."
Shuffling the rotation
Manager Mike Matheny has altered the rotation for the start of the second half. Adam Wainwright will start Friday's series opener against the Reds as previously scheduled, but the Cardinals will slide Kyle Lohse into the rotation on Saturday. That day was originally scheduled for Lance Lynn, who will now start Monday in Milwaukee. Jake Westbrook will start Sunday night against the Reds while Joe Kelly will start Tuesday.
Molina returns
Yadier Molina was back at Busch Stadium Thursday and traveled with the team to Cincinnati. Molina was put on the bereavement list and missed the final three games of the regular season and the All-Star Game to return home to Puerto Rico due to a death in his wife's family.
