CHICAGO -- Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein was removed from Friday's game against the Cubs due to a strained left oblique muscle that he sustained on an awkward slide into home. He will miss at least one game, and his further availability is to be determined.

"It's too early to even speculate right now," Eckstein said. "I've never had this."

The Cardinals training staff has extensive experience with oblique injuries. Albert Pujols missed time with a strained oblique in June, and Gary Bennett battled the condition as well this year.

"We'll wait 24-48 hours and figure it out, see which way it's going to manifest itself in the next day or so," said head athletic trainer Barry Weinberg.

Eckstein singled and scored in the top of the third inning. In the bottom of the frame, he began to take his position in the field, but after consulting with manager Tony La Russa, Eckstein was removed from the game. Aaron Miles took his place at shortstop and in the leadoff spot.

"When I got in the dugout, I was hoping it was a cramp," Eckstein said. "That's why I still went back out there. But as soon as I threw the ball, there was no chance."

After reaching on a one-out single in the third, Eckstein advanced to second when Aramis Ramirez committed an error on Chris Duncan's sacrifice fly. With two outs, Pujols singled, and Eckstein chugged around to score.

Eckstein took catcher Michael Barrett's knee to his ribs on the play, and the resulting torque put him in a dangerous position. Eckstein also sustained a nasty scrape on his leg on the play, causing him not to notice the muscle strain at first.

"He's one of our core guys, one of the guys we rely on to win with," said La Russa. "You're always concerned about something like that."