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Cards' Ace Returns

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The Associated Press

Published: August 21, 2008

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Cardinals decided to plug Adam Wainwright into their rotation instead of as the fill-in closer, and will give him a start Friday against the Braves.

Wainwright, the opening-day starter and 6-3 with a 3.14 ERA, has been on the 15-day DL since early June with a ruptured tendon in the middle finger of his right hand. He threw 42/3 scoreless innings in his third rehab start last week, and on Tuesday after a bullpen session told Manager Tony La Russa and reporters he was ready to pitch in the majors, saying another rehab effort would be "wasting game bullets."

La Russa said team medical personnel and pitching coach Dave Duncan all agreed it was time to bring back the right-hander. The Cardinals were 2 1/2 games behind Milwaukee in the wild card race.

In other Cardinals news, pitcher Kyle Lohse was suspended five games for throwing a fastball past the head of Cincinnati pitcher Edinson Volquez last weekend.

Lohse appealed the penalty and can continue to play until a hearing is held. Asked about the suspension, he called the ruling "pretty weak."

RED SOX: Josh Beckett remains on course to start Tuesday, although Manager Terry Francona won't be to disappointed if the right-hander is pushed back again.

Beckett's next start was moved from Saturday to Tuesday after he developed a sore right elbow that created numbness in his hand.

ROYALS: Kansas City placed pitcher Luke Hochevar on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of a rib injury.

The 24-year-old had an MRI, which showed a right rib contusion.

TRADE: The Washington Nationals acquired shortstop Anderson Hernandez from New York on Wednesday, completing Sunday's trade that sent right-hander Luis Ayala to the Mets.

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