DL possible for Ankiel

Although initial reports said Rick Ankiel was fine after his head-first dive into the left-center field fence in St. Louis, Ankiel's prognosis might mix in a DL stint.

Tony La Russa said the Cardinals would likely wait a few more days before deciding on whether to put Ankiel on the 15-day disabled list. The decision depends on his improvement.

La Russa says Ankiel is "more sore in some places and not as sore other places."

Ankiel watched from the dugout during Tuesday's loss to the Phillies. La Russa said it was highly unlikely Ankiel could play Thursday in the finale of a four-game homestand.

Fantasy Impact: The more time Ankiel misses, the more chances rookie Colby Rasmus gets to show his promise. Rasmus is certainly worth the flier for a couple of weeks if Ankiel hits the DL.

Ankiel meets wall

Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel survived a scary moment Monday night after running hard into the wall after a fly ball. He made the catch, but paid for it dearly. Amazingly, the Cardinals say Ankiel is just a little sore, according to Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino.

Victorino, anxious when he came to bat in the ninth, asked catcher Jason LaRue how Ankiel was doing and was assured by what he heard.

"LaRue said (Ankiel) felt fine, that he was a little sore, that it wasn't anything where he wasn't moving or anything like that," Victorino said.

"I'm glad he was able to give a thumbs-up (when Ankiel was carted off the field). I'm sure he's going to be sore, but I hope nothing more comes about tonight.

"... I only wish him the best and that it didn't do too much damage.

"It was a great play. He went a long way to get the ball."

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard said, "When I saw (Ankiel) stumble, I knew he was going face-first into the wall. I was just waiting for some movement. I saw him move his arms and said, 'All right. That's good. He's still got feeling.'"

Fantasy Impact: We'll start Colby Rasmus in place of Ankiel for at least a day or two. Rasmus looks to be on the verge of breaking out in his first full major league season, anyway.

Rasmus starts, Ludwick swats

Don't look now, but Colby Rasmus is playing every day for the St. Louis Cardinals. Rasmus started for fourth straight game, hit a run-scoring double and scored two runs. The Cardinals cruise past Arizona, 12-7, with Ryan Ludwick swatting his third home run.

Fantasy Impact: A 2008 All-Star, Ludwick is the only Redbird outfielder with an everyday job. Rasmus started in center field in place of Rick Ankiel. In a crowded Cardinals outfield that could see Rasmus, Ankiel and Chris Duncan platoon for one another all season, Rasmus likely does not command enough fantasy value to start at this time. He's even available on a number of waiver wires, which is surprising given his pedigree as a 22-year-old with major upside. Take a flier soon, or you might be disappointed this one got away.