ANKIEL REJOINS SPRINGFIELD AFTER SUCCESSFUL STINT WITH QUAD CITIES

The Springfield Cardinals have announced that outfielder Rick Ankiel will rejoin the Cardinals and will be added to the roster in time for today’s game at Arkansas.

Ankiel, who played in six games for the Cardinals earlier in the season, has played the last three months with Quad Cities (A) of the Midwest League.  In 51 games for the Swing, Ankiel hit .270 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI’s.   The former second-round draft pick made his first appearance with Springfield on April 28 after spending time in extended spring training with a lower-back strain.  In six games for the Cards, Ankiel hit .050, going 1-20.  In order to make room for Ankiel, the Cardinals have placed first baseman Juan Diaz on the disabled list with a sprained left ankle.

Springfield also made two additions to the pitching staff over the weekend.  Pitchers Alan Benes and Joe Nelson, both with major league experience, were added to the Cardinals roster.  Benes, a former first-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1993, has a 29-28 record and 4.59 ERA in 115 games in the Major Leagues.  Benes spent last season with Memphis (AAA) where he went 8-10 with a 5.60 ERA.  Also joining the staff is Joe Nelson, recently released by Tampa Bay.  He was 0-3 with six saves and a 4.11 ERA in 35 appearances with the Durham Bulls (AAA).  Nelson spent last season in the Red Sox organization, including three games with Boston.  Both Stuart Pomeranz and Josh Kinney were placed on the DL before Sunday’s game.