TV, Radio Reports in St. Louis Say Cardinals Will Sign DeCinces Today

The St. Louis Cardinals, expected to be without Jack Clark’s bat most of the season’s final week, will sign free agent Doug DeCinces to fortify their National League East title bid, reports Monday night indicated.

Television station KSDK, an NBC affiliate, and radio station KMOX, a CBS flagship, both reported that the signing is imminent.

KSDK reporter Mike Bush said DeCinces, 37, is expected to sign before today’s doubleheader at Busch Stadium against the Montreal Expos.

KMOX reported that the signing is contingent on DeCinces’ clearing American League waivers, the KMOX report said.

St. Louis, which leads the NL East by two games, has seven games to play and has been hampered in recent weeks for production from right-handed batters because of Clark’s absence.

DeCinces was released Sept. 19 by the Angels.

Clark, who has 35 home runs and 106 runs batted in, has made only a pinch-hitting appearance since spraining his right ankle Sept. 9.

Both KSDK and KMOX said DeCinces, who has 237 career home runs, was in St. Louis Monday night to await the waiver-clearing process.

If he signs with the Cardinals, De Cinces would not be eligible for postseason play. St. Louis’ remaining seven games include four with Montreal and three with the second-place New York Mets beginning Friday night.