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MLB odds: Mulder back in Cards' rotation
By Jordan WaltersWagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
| Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook |
The Milwaukee Brewers aren’t the only NL Central team adding a big-name left-handed starting pitcher this week. While the Brew Crew have acquired C.C. Sabathia via trade, the St. Louis Cardinals will add Mark Mulder to their rotation on Wednesday.
Mulder will make his first start since September at Philadelphia.
"I think he's ready," general manager John Mozeliak said. "Not only what we've seen but just what he's telling us and how he feels has been something of a benchmark. If he feels like he's in the right place right now, he's ready for this opportunity."
Mulder returned from the disabled list June 27 and got four outs in a relief role. Cast as a fill-in lefty specialist, Mulder made two appearances against the Mets last week — finishing one game with a scoreless ninth and later blowing his first career save opportunity.
Mulder, coming back from two shoulder operations, allowed two runs and four hits in 1 1-3 innings in the first two relief appearances of his career. He made three starts last September and was 0-3 with a 12.27 ERA before undergoing a second operation.
"He's starter material, and we have a spot in the rotation," manager Tony La Russa said. "He's the guy that fits it the best. He's ready for the chance."
In his past 10 major-league starts Mulder has allowed at least four earned runs in each outing. His last start lasted three innings, including three walks, seven hits and four runs and sent him back to the doctor for a second operation on his rotator cuff.
Mulder, in the final year of a $13 million contract, also cut short a rehab assignment this year after continued discomfort in his shoulder. That inspired him to lower the angle of his arm and attempt a second rehab assignment.
He went unbeaten in rehab starts at Double-A or lower, but in Triple-A starts he was 0-3 with 20 earned runs and 28 hits in 13 1/3 innings.
Mulder replaces rookie Mitchell Boggs in the rotation. Boggs was 3-1 with a 6.59 ERA in six games, including five starts. In his last start Thursday against the Mets, he allowed 10 hits and 11 runs (10 earned) in six innings of an 11-1 loss.
If by some miracle Mulder can stay healthy, he could be a huge addition to an injury-ravaged Cardinals staff that also could get Chris Carpenter back in August.
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