Rick Ankiel seems likely to miss another target: the St. Louis Cardinals' opening-day roster.
The 22-year-old left-hander, bothered by elbow tendinitis and trying to overcome the wildness that sidelined his major league career, won't pitch in a game again until at least next week. He has made just one start in spring training, giving up six runs in two innings on March 3. The following day, he complained of elbow pain, and he hasn't appeared in a game since.
St. Louis hopes Ankiel will be able to face batters in a simulated game by early next week.
"I think what we decided was, 'Don't look too far ahead,' " Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Tuesday in Jupiter, Fla. "Let him throw tomorrow, see how he feels. Let him throw Friday, and if everything is OK, he faces hitters on Monday, and then we'll see how he feels."
Ankiel hasn't fared well since throwing nine wild pitches in four innings during the 2000 playoffs. Last year, Ankiel was 1-2 with a 7.13 ERA in six starts for the Cardinals, walking 25 in 24 innings. He spent the rest of the season in the minor leagues.
Also in Jupiter, Montreal acquired third baseman Chris Truby from Houston for infielder Geoff Blum on Tuesday in the first deal completed by the Expos since major league baseball assumed ownership of the team.
Truby started last season as the Astros' third baseman but hit just .206 with eight home runs and 23 RBIs in 48 games. Fernando Tatis, Montreal's regular third baseman, had knee surgery last season and is not expected to be ready by opening day.
Blum hit .236 with nine homers and 50 RBIs last season.
In Tampa, Fla., New York Yankees outfielder Ruben Rivera was placed on unconditional release waivers by the New York Yankees after being accused of taking a bat and glove from teammate Derek Jeter's locker.
"That type of thing is a shock," manager Joe Torre said Tuesday. "It's sad. It's unfortunate."
In Peoria, Ariz., the Cubs learned Jeff Shaw has decided that being closer to home is more important than being the closer for Chicago. The Cubs couldn't reach an agreement with Shaw to replace the injured Tom Gordon.
"Jeff obviously placed a high premium on being home with his family, and there's nothing wrong with that," Cubs general manager Andy MacPhail said.
In Kissimmee, Fla., left-hander reliever Chuck McElroy was released by the Houston Astros.
McElroy, 34, gave up five earned runs in 2 2/3 innings this spring in three relief appearances, including one loss.