St. Louis called up RHP Dan Haren, RHP Josh Pearce, and RHP Garrett Stephenson while activating OF-L J.D. Drew, Joe Girardi, and Eli Marrero from the DL when rosters first expanded this month. Pearce has pitched effectively out of the pen this September and may have a chance for a larger role next season if the Cardinals hold onto him. The Cardinals had only demoted Haren and Stephenson on August 30th in order to set their playoff roster, as they wanted to activate Russ Springer and Fernando Vina from the DL. Stephenson's bounced between the rotation and the bullpen for the last few months, but baring a sudden injury to a starter, he'll likely remain in the pen for the last week of the season.

Haren has pitched 173.1 innings this year, spanning AA, AAA, and the majors. In consideration of his workload and his struggles over his last few starts, the Cardinals have shut him down for the remainder of the season. A minute possibility exists that he may pitch out of the pen in an emergency, but St. Louis isn't planning to use him again this year. The 23-year-old remains a promising pitching prospect, and he should open next season in the Cardinals rotation, building upon his 2003 experience.

Drew only came off the disabled list on September 1st because the Cardinals had the extra flexibility of an expanded roster; he had not fully recovered from his strained oblique. He's returned to the lineup on a semi-regular basis in large part because OF-L Jim Edmonds has not been healthy. However, St. Louis continues to treat Drew with caution.

A number of injuries trouble Edmonds, including a sore right shoulder, bruised right knee, and most recently a strained right oblique. The Cardinals may use him sparingly for a few more days, but as soon as they're officially eliminated from the post-season race, I expect Edmonds to cease play. St. Louis hopes he'll be able to report to Spring Training in full health after a winter of rest and rehab. He's not currently projected to need any off-season surgery.