ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel missed his second straight start Sunday with a sore left shoulder.
Dr. George Paletta, the team physician, was hopeful that Ankiel would be sidelined only a few days. The Cardinals had been prepared to call up outfielder Joe Mather from Triple-A Memphis and place Ankiel on the 15-day disabled list, but were holding off for now.
"He's better today and was getting treatment," manager Tony La Russa said before the Cardinals concluded a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
La Russa said Ankiel took an awkward swing Friday night.
Ankiel was batting .285 with seven home runs and 21 RBI in 40 games. Skip Schumaker started in his place in center field Sunday.
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