Ponson will miss at least one start with strained muscle in arm

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Sidney Ponson will miss his next start after he strained a muscle in his right elbow.

Ponson, off to a 3-0 start, had to leave Sunday's 9-1 victory over the Florida Marlins after throwing three innings. The Cardinals said Monday that Ponson will be evaluated a second time to determine a treatment and throwing program. Ponson declined comment.

St. Louis trainer Barry Weinberg said Ponson sustained an acute flexor muscle strain in his throwing elbow.

"It's always bad news when somebody has to miss time," Weinberg said. "But hypothetically, there's a lot worse things that could have been found."

Manager Tony LaRussa said off days Thursday and next Monday will allow the team to get by with a four-man rotation until a three-game series at Kansas City beginning on May 19.

The Cardinals also optioned outfielder John Gall to Triple-A Memphis and activated outfielder Larry Bigbie from the 15-day disabled list.

-- The Associated Press