Ankiel Could Earn a Spot on Playoff Roster

Rick Ankiel’s return to the major leagues might not be just a September cameo.

The left-hander, who will be activated from the 15-day disabled list today, has been impressive enough during his rehab from reconstructive elbow surgery that he’ll be considered for the St. Louis Cardinals’ postseason roster.

Manager Tony La Russa said he’d use Ankiel, who last pitched in the majors in 2001, in relief or use him as a spot starter to rest members of the rotation entering the playoffs.

Asked if Ankiel, 25, was a candidate to pitch in the postseason, La Russa replied, “Yeah, sure, absolutely.”

La Russa said he’d treat Ankiel, who reached the majors at age 19 before being derailed by wildness and injuries, much like he did Matt Morris in 2000 when the right-hander was coming off reconstructive elbow surgery.

In other words, he won’t base everything on Ankiel’s performance this month.

“The fairest thing is like Matt coming off that injury, it’s what happened the next year,” La Russa said. “That’s really the fairest way to look at Rick.”

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The Chicago Cubs made two trades, getting outfielder Ben Grieve from the Milwaukee Brewers and acquiring backup catcher Mike DiFelice from the Detroit Tigers.

Chicago sent a player to be named and cash to the Brewers for Grieve, who batted .261 with seven home runs and 29 runs batted in for Milwaukee. The Cubs gave up a player to be named for DiFelice, who is batting .136 with two RBIs in 22 at-bats.

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Stephen Drew, selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 15th pick of the June amateur draft, withdrew from classes at Florida State to continue his contract negotiations with the Diamondbacks.... Veteran catcher Pat Borders, 41, was traded to the American League Central-leading Minnesota Twins by the Seattle Mariners for minor league outfielder B.J. Garbe.