The Cardinals weren’t sure how the outfield was going to shake out when this season started but they have to be amazed at how well Ryan Ludwick is swinging the bat. He’s making pitchers’ pay for pitching around Albert Pujols. Ludwick has played in 45 games for the Cardinals this season and he is 47 for 141 (.333 avg, 1.134 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 13 homers and 38 RBIs. Previously to this season, Ludwick had played in 224 major league games in which he was 160 for 637 (.251 avg, .765 OPS) with 80 runs scored, 28 homers and 96 RBIs.

The Cardinals have placed righty starter Joel Pineiro on the 15-day disabled list with a right groin strain. He has started 8 games this season for the Cardinals and he is 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Pineiro will be replaced on the active roster by Kelvin Jimenez. Jimenez has pitched in 3 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals this season and he is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Jimenez has also pitched in 20 games (0 starts) in AAA ball this season and he is 1-2 with 1 save, a 1.88 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP.

Todd Wellemeyer is off to a good start this season for the Cardinals. He has started 10 game this season for the Cardinals and he is 5-1 with a 3.25 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He has only allowed 49 hits this season while striking out 49 batters in 61 innings. Wellemeyer is an outstanding example as to why Dave Duncan is one of the best pitching coaches on this planet. Wellemeyer was a relief pitcher that couldn’t throw strikes until he got to St. Louis and look at him now.

The Cardinals have placed closer Jason Isringhausen on the 15-day disabled list with a right hand laceration. Isringhausen was off to a rough start to the 2008 season and he was replaced as the closer of the Cardinals previous to him injuring his hand. He has pitched in 21 games (0 starts) this season for the Cardinals and he is 1-5 with 11 saves, a 8.00 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP. Ryan Franklin will replace Isringhausen as the closer for the Cardinals for the time being. He has worked in 22 games this season for the Cardinals and he is 2-1 with 2 saves, a 1.64 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Franklin should do a decent job for the Cardinals. Chris Perez has been called up to replace Isringhausen on the roster. He has pitched in 2 games now for the Cardinals and he is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.00 WHIP. The 22-year old righty pitched in 18 games (0 starts) in AAA ball this season and he was 1-1 with a 2.04 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Perez has only allowed 12 hits in 17.2 innings in the minors while whiffing 22 batters which is pretty impressive.

21-year old lefty swinging outfielder Colby Rasmus is the #1 prospect in the entire Cardinals’ system according to Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook but he’s struggling in the minors right now. Rasmus has played in 33 games in AAA-ball so far this season and he is 25 for 120 (.208 avg, .665 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 5 homers, 14 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. The Cardinals hope that Rasmus will be ready to help them out at some point in 2008 but they won’t promote him until he earns it.