Ailing Cubs` catcher Jody Davis was sent back to Chicago Friday morning after initial blood test results revealed he is suffering from anemia and a viral infection. He was to undergo further tests at Northwestern Memorial Hospital to determine the nature of the infection.
General manager Dallas Green has informed the league office of Davis`
illness and the possibility that he may have to be placed on the disabled list.
”We`re not worried about the contagious part; we feel we have that much determined,” Green told sportscaster Chet Coppock on WMAQ radio Friday.
”We`re not trying to use this as an excuse for the way we`re playing. We`re just frustrated. It`s got to drag on the guys when day after day after day another one of the regulars goes down. But we`re still in the race. I still feel we won`t get too far sucked under.”
— Steve Trout, who had been sent home from New York to have his tender left elbow re-examined, rejoined the team in St. Louis. He`ll probably miss his next start Sunday but return to the rotation against the Mets next week.
— Outfielder Brian Dayett, placed on the 21-day disabled list Thursday, is scheduled to have a bone scan on his right ankle to determine if he needs surgery.
— Former Cub reliever Bill Campbell, traded to the Phillies in the Gary Matthews-Bob Dernier deal, is happy to be in the Cardinals` bullpen. ”I was not happy to be traded away from the Cubs, but I was sure glad to get out of Philadelphia,” Campbell said. ”The attitude here (St. Louis) is so much different. They feel they are going to win every game. I still live in the Chicago area, and it`s just a $47 plane ticket away from going home now.”
— The Cardinals have 16 saves among six pitchers. That`s one more save than ex-Cardinal Bruce Sutter had at this point last season, when he wound up with 45. . . . Starter Danny Cox is 15-5 since coming back from the minors last year. . . . The Cards, who have won 13 of their last 17 games, gave up two or fewer runs in 11 of those games.
— Sunday is the anniversary of Ryne Sandberg`s memorable 5-for-6, 7-RBI game against St. Louis at Wrigley Field. He hit two homers off Sutter in the Cubs` 12-11 victory.
