McClellan Ready for Wednesday Return
By Editorial Staff
St. Louis Cardinals starter Kyle McClellan has declared himself ‘100 percent’ and appears ready to start Wednesday’s game against the Washington Nationals.
McClellan was placed on the team’s 15 day disabled list June 2nd with a strained hip flexor muscle. The right hander sustained the injury in the first inning of his last appearance against the Giants.
He was not pulled from the game immediately, but it was evident the injury was bothering him. McClellan, who entered the game with a 3.11 ERA, allowed 7 runs in only 4 innings of work.
The 26 year old made the declaration of health after his long session Friday afternoon.
"“I felt great,” he said. “I didn’t feel any discomfort, and I felt like I was well rested and my stuff was sharp. … Yesterday was kind of like my game day — a longer one — and [Sunday] will be a light one, and then get ready for Wednesday.”"
2011 marked McClellan’s first as a starter for the Cardinals. He had come out of St. Louis’s pen since 2008, making at least 66 appearances a season while maintaining an ERA near 3.00.
When McClellan went down with the injured hip, he was already nearing his innings total from previous years. The club was hoping to give him some time off, not wanting to overuse the right hander this early.
It will be interesting to see how the Cardinals handle McClellan as the playoff race continues.