News
Flu-like illness sidelines Cards' Rasmus
Sore throat keeps outfielder out of lineup vs. Dodgers
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
08/18/09 10:31 PM ET
ST. LOUIS -- Colby Rasmus is again dealing with an illness. Rasmus has swollen tonsils and some flu-like symptoms and was held out of the Cardinals' lineup against the Dodgers on Tuesday night. Rasmus had been feeling unwell for a day or so, but the condition got worse on Tuesday and necessitated a night off."I started to feel it a little bit yesterday, and the night we got off the plane when we got here," Rasmus said on Tuesday afternoon. "I felt all right yesterday, but today it's worse. My tonsils are huge right now."
Earlier this season, Rasmus dealt with a hiatal hernia, which forced him to change his eating habits. This is evidently unrelated but nonetheless frustrating for Rasmus, who had been heating up at the plate recently.
Rasmus isn't the only Cardinals player feeling under the weather, either. Ryan Ludwick has some symptoms of a cold, but it's less severe than what Rasmus has. Thus, Ludwick is in the lineup while Rasmus rests.
"[Rasmus] has got a congested chest and a big sore throat," manager Tony La Russa said. "Barry [Weinberg, head athletic trainer] thought he would be weakened and couldn't play. [Ludwick] is OK to play, but Barry didn't think it would be smart to play Colby."
Meanwhile, Matt Holliday, who appeared to be the most questionable outfielder when the Cardinals left Dodger Stadium on Monday night, reported no significant issues on Tuesday. Holliday fouled a ball off his left foot in Monday's game but said on Tuesday he was fine. Holliday started in his customary spot in left field, batting fourth.
Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
