ST. LOUIS (AP) -The St. Louis Cardinals scratched pitcher Kip Wells from his scheduled start on Tuesday, giving the right-hander the news about three hours before a game against the Kansas City Royals.
Brad Thompson and Todd Wellemeyer, who had been listed to pitch on Wednesday and Thursday, each were moved up a day. Wells, 2-11 with a 6.93 ERA, will work out of the bullpen the next few days and is set to start on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Thompson threw two scoreless innings of relief and about 40 pitches on Saturday at Oakland, four days after allowing eight runs and 10 hits in 4 1-3 innings at Kansas City.
Wells leads the major leagues in losses and lasted only 1 1-3 innings in his last start at Kansas City, giving up six runs, three hits and four walks. Wells, who signed a $4 million, one-year contract as a free agent during the offseason, appeared to have gotten a reprieve from bullpen duty when Braden Looper was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder strain on Monday.
Manager Tony La Russa informed both Thompson and Wellemeyer of the possible change in the rotation after Monday’s 5-3 loss to the Royals, but didn’t see Wells in the clubhouse. Wells, apparently after checking the lineup card, stuck his head in La Russa’s office and beckoned with his finger while the manager was meeting with reporters.
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