On the disabled list the past 15 days to nurse spasms in his lower back, Ankiel was re-assigned to the St. Louis Cardinals' affiliate in the Low-A Midwest League on Monday in a move designed to ease the former pitching phenom back into action and help the outfielder gain some confidence.

St. Louis farm director Bruce Manno said the plan is to keep Ankiel in Davenport, Iowa, and playing for the Swing of the Quad Cities until the Springfield Cardinals return May 30 from their seven-game road trip in Texas. Manno called the plan a better course because it allows Ankiel to come off the DL but not immediately face pitching in the Double-A Texas League.

Between April 28, when he was activated for the Springfield roster and, and May 7, when he was placed on the disabled list, Ankiel had only one hit in 20 at-bats.

"It's difficult to get him back in and compete at that level," Manno said. "He'll get an opportunity to play every day and get back into a routine."

Since clearing waivers on April 6, Ankiel has spent 36 of the past 52 days on the DL. The plan, much like his arrival last month to Springfield, is to play Ankiel in right field and bat third in the Swing's lineup. Ankiel struck out in his first two at-bats Monday night in a game against Lansing.

By sending Ankiel to Quad Cities, Springfield keeps the core of its 23-man roster intact, particularly its four-outfielder rotation. It's a key for Springfield as it continues to play American League-affiliated teams and can give at-bats to one of the other outfielders in the designated hitter role.

Quad Cities can carry 25 players and, should Ankiel be forced back to the DL, Manno said the move also prevented Springfield from making a rash transaction while on the road.

"I didn't want to activate him and, in two or three days, we are back in a situation where he's (hurting again)," Manno said. "My thinking was to let him go down there, and let him get back to where it feels real good."