McGwire Could Return in September

St. Louis Manager Tony La Russa plans to activate first baseman Mark McGwire off the disabled list on Sept. 1 and will use him as a pinch-hitter, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

McGwire has been out since July 7 because of tendinitis in his right knee and the Cardinals have gone 17-20 without him.

The medical report on McGwire is that he is “slightly improved.” La Russa said he was told it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch for McGwire to pinch-hit come September.

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Bret Saberhagen made his sixth minor league rehab start, pitching five innings and giving up two runs for the Boston Red Sox’s triple-A team at Pawtucket, R.I. . . . Tampa Bay activated infielder Bobby Smith from the disabled list, and optioned outfielder Quinton McCracken to triple-A Durham. . . . Catcher Bill Haselman and the Texas Rangers agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension.