Mejia Joins Cardinal Disabled List

Second baseman Roberto Mejia on Saturday became the eighth St. Louis Cardinal to go on the disabled list, a day after he strained his right groin.

General Manager Walt Jocketty said the injury wasn’t serious enough to keep Mejia sidelined for 15 days, but the Cardinals had to do so because they are running short of available players.

Mejia had been playing for injured Delino DeShields when he hurt himself trying to get out of the way of a throw by shortstop Royce Clayton Friday.

He joins pitchers Andy Benes, Danny Jackson, Brian Barber, Rick Honeycutt and Lance Painter, outfielder Ray Lankford and catcher Tom Pagnozzi on the disabled list. Barber is on the 60-day disabled list.

The Cardinals called up infielder Steve Scarsone and added him to the 40-man roster in place of Mejia. Scarsone started Saturday.

Cardinal center fielder Brian Jordan, who has lower back pain, expects to be sidelined another day or two. His back has been bothering him since spring training, but an MRI on Wednesday showed no serious injury.

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Shortstop Barry Larkin was out of Cincinnati’s lineup because of his sore left heel, which has become a big concern.

Larkin developed inflammation at the base of the Achilles’ tendon during spring training, got a cortisone shot and missed 14 games

The problem has returned during the regular season, limiting him in the field and at the plate.

Larkin, the Reds’ captain, wants to keep playing through the pain.

“I ain’t going on the DL,” Larkin said.

Meantime, the Reds called up shortstop Pokey Reese from triple-A Indianapolis so Larkin can rest from time to time.

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With right fielder Danny Tartabull sidelined at least six weeks because of a foot injury, and Rex Hudler sidelined because of a hamstring injury, the Philadelphia Phillies will give catcher-turned-first baseman Darren Daulton a shot at the job.