Edmonds Injures His Ribs in Cardinals’ 3-1 Victory

Jason Simontacchi pitched a six-hitter for the first complete game of his career and the St. Louis Cardinals, despite losing center fielder Jim Edmonds, defeated the Houston Astros, 3-1, Wednesday night.

Edmonds bruised his ribs making a lunging catch in the first inning and will be sidelined for at least the next few days.

Trainer Barry Weinberg said there was some slight separation of the ribs from the cartilage. But he said the team wouldn’t have a time frame for Edmonds’ return until the weekend.

“It’s very serious,” Weinberg said. “Right now, without overreacting, we’ll see how it is Saturday and Sunday.”

General Manager Walt Jocketty said, “It’s not good.”

Edmonds robbed Brad Ausmus of a hit when he snared a sinking liner in shallow center field, but came up holding his right side.

“Usually when you dive in the outfield you slide in the grass, and it just stuck,” Edmonds said.

At the plate in the bottom of the first, he fouled off the first pitch from Jonathan Johnson, then held his side again and was removed for pinch-hitter Orlando Palmeiro.