Benes Eyes September Return

St. Louis pitcher Alan Benes, out more than two years because of shoulder problems, said he’s on schedule for a September return. Benes threw 2 1/3 innings in his first rehab start for triple-A Memphis, giving up one hit and throwing 34 pitches. The plan calls for him to make three more starts, then join the Cardinals. Benes, 27, was injured in July 1997.

The Cardinals plan to promote 20-year-old phenom Rick Ankiel, 7-3 with a 3.16 earned-run average at Memphis, and give him a start Tuesday in Montreal. Ankiel has 119 strikeouts in 88 1/3 innings. The Cardinals also will call up infielder Adam Kennedy today.

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First baseman Mark Grace, 35, who has played for the Chicago Cubs his entire 12-year major league career, signed a one-year contract extension believed to be worth $5.3 million. . . . Rico Brogna signed his second one-year contract extension in two years with Philadelphia Phillies. The extension calls for a base salary of $4 million. . . . It has been confirmed Pittsburgh left-hander Pete Schourek has an inflamed left shoulder.