Elbow Injury Lands Ankiel on 15-Day Disabled List

St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Rick Ankiel, still trying to overcome control problems from two seasons ago, was put on the 15-day disabled Thursday because of tendinitis in his left elbow.

Ankiel, 22, will remain at the Cardinals’ complex in Jupiter, Fla., for extended spring training.

Ankiel made one start this month, giving up five runs in the second inning against Montreal on March 3.

Closer Tom Gordon and third baseman Bill Mueller were officially put on the 15-day disabled list as the Chicago Cubs set their 25-man roster. The Cubs also returned infielder Angel Echevarria and reliever Joe Borowski to minor league camp.... The New York Yankees informed veteran utility man Luis Sojo that he won’t make the opening day roster unless an injury opens a spot. In 2000, the popular Sojo drove in the World Series-clinching run with a ninth-inning single in Game 5 against the New York Mets.... To remember the tragic events of Sept. 11, there will be a minute of silence at 9:11 p.m. at every major league team’s first night game this season. In addition, “God Bless America” will continue to be sung during the seventh-inning stretch of all games until further notice.... Whitey Wietelmann, who played for the Braves and Pirates during more than five decades in baseball, died at the age of 83. Wietelmann, who coached with the San Diego Padres, was found dead in his home on Tuesday. He had lived in San Diego since 1949.