Ankiel

ST. LOUIS – Florida could be the next stop on Rick Ankiel's wild ride through 2001.

The St. Louis Cardinals' left-hander, who got even wilder in the minor leagues, might be headed to the team's extended spring training camp in Jupiter, Fla.

"If I would guess, he won't get another start" at Triple-A Memphis, general manager Walt Jocketty said.

Ankiel, 21, was optioned to Memphis on May 11 after going 1-2 in six starts with a 7.13 ERA and 25 walks in 24 innings. In three starts with Memphis, he has a 20.77 ERA with 17 walks and 12 wild pitches in 4 1-3 innings.

Team officials plan to meet with Ankiel on Monday, a day before his next scheduled start. The meeting is to include Ankiel, manager Tony La Russa, pitching coach Dave Duncan, Jocketty, director of player development Mike Jorgensen and minor league pitching coordinator Mark Riggins.

The most likely scenario, Duncan said, would be to send Ankiel to the extended spring camp.

"I think, unless somebody convinces me differently, that is the step to take," Duncan said. "I could be convinced differently but when I get involved in the discussions, I'm going to encourage that that takes place."

Ankiel hit .250 last year and Jocketty said that while shifting positions is a possibility, "That's a little dramatic."

Duncan has been in almost constant contact with Riggins, who has been with Ankiel the last two weeks.

"What we've been doing hasn't been working," Duncan said. "Our main objective is to do whatever we can do to get Rick back as a pitcher. There's no timetable on it. He's so young, there's no immediacy to doing that.

"It would be nice if it would happen tomorrow, but realistically it's not going to. We've got three or four different alternatives."

Duncan said shifting Ankiel to the bullpen is low on the list possibilities.

"For about the last four times, his pregame warmup has been flawless," Duncan said. "So, it's going to the mound now that's the problem. I don't think that's going to matter if it's the seventh inning or the first inning or if he's surprised by the appearance."

The important thing is to keep Ankiel working.

"I don't think it makes sense to say, 'Go home. Get well. Come back and see us when you're ready,"' Duncan said. "That isn't going to work. We have to keep Rick active and involved."

In the meantime, Jocketty said, the team has gotten plenty of unsolicited advice.

"Some guy said we should blindfold him, so he could work on his muscle memory (when he throws). He would have someone speak to him and then throw to a target. Some goofy thing," Jocketty said.