Pitcher Michael Wacha goes on Cardinals’ injured list
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha was placed on the 10-day injured list because of patellar tendinitis in his left knee and will miss his scheduled start Tuesday against NL Central rival Milwaukee.
St. Louis said the move was retroactive to Friday. Infielder/outfielder Drew Robinson was recalled Monday from Triple-A Memphis.
"Something he's had in the past," St. Louis manager Mike Shildt said. "It occurred in a recovery workout from a start and just didn't feel like he was going to be able to go."
Shildt thinks Wacha will miss just one turn.
"I definitely think this is something that we will put behind us once he takes his next start," the manager said.
Wacha is sidelined for the fourth time in six years. He was 8-2 in 15 starts last year but did not pitch for the Cardinals after June 20 because of a strained oblique muscle in his left side.
Wacha was on the disabled list from June 14 to Sept. 3, 2014, with a right shoulder stress reaction and from Aug. 9 to Sept. 13, 2016, with right shoulder inflammation.
He is 1-0 with a 4.64 ERA in four starts this season. He beat Milwaukee 6-3 last week, allowing two runs in six innings.
Daniel Ponce de Leon is to be brought up from Triple-A Memphis to take Wacha's turn. He is 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in three starts at Memphis.
"He's done a nice job when he's been here in a starting role and a relieving role," Shildt said.
Not making the team out of spring training did not upset de Leon.
"The way I pitched, I didn't deserve to be up here. I got rocked left and right," de Leon said. "Towards the end, I'd have three good innings and then I'd have one I couldn't get out of. It's the truth. The coaches, they gave me a good shot."
Robinson played four games with St. Louis this season, in center field, and was 0 for 6.
