“You’re talking about a guy who’s been an elite pitcher in this league. We’re optimistic that can happen and this is a good opportunity to prove it.”
The comeback is over for Rick Ankiel, the former Cardinals pitcher/outfielder who was harboring aspirations of returning to the organization as a lefthanded reliever at age 41. Ankiel, who got the itch last season when he was pitching in a semi-pro situation, first was set back by elbow surgery, which cost him seven to eight months. Then when he started throwing at his home in Jupiter, Fla., from as far away as 90 feet, he felt discomfort in his flexor tendon.