In Triple-A, the 29-year-old Falkenborg has posted a nine saves in 11 games, including a one-inning save on Saturday. His opposing batting average is just .204 and he registered an ERA of 2.03 for the Redbirds this season. Falkenborg struck out 12 in 13 1/3 innings.
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound right-hander saw action in five Major League games for the Cardinals during 2006 and previously pitched in the bigs for the Orioles, Padres and Dodgers. When added to the 40-man roster, Falkenborg puts the total at 39 players.
Falkenborg will be wearing uniform number 40 and is available to pitch on Sunday for the Cardinals. I asked him about his new assignment upon his arrival at Busch Stadium on Sunday morning.
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On the Cardinals’ 25-man, Falkenborg replaced rookie right-handed reliever Dennis Dove, who was touched up by the Houston Astros on Saturday. The Cards’ third-round pick in 2003 pitched in three games for the Cardinals, allowing one run in his first two innings, before Saturday’s game. Then against the Astros, he yielded a double, single, walk and a grand slam for Houston’s runs 10 through 13.
In this exclusive interview held on Saturday morning, Dove discusses his extended 2006 season, his first call-up to the majors, the location of his locker in the clubhouse (positioned between starters Kip Wells and Mark Mulder), the impact of his transition from the four-seamer to the two-seamer, primary use of two pitches as a starter converted to relief, his experiences in Memphis and St. Louis and more.
If his quiet determination is any indication, the hard-thrower should be back in a Cardinals uniform before long.
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Note: Sunday’s other roster move is outfielder Preston Wilson to the disabled list, replaced by Ryan Ludwick, up from Memphis.
Brian Walton can be reached via email at brwalton@earthlink.net.
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