SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese strained his lower right leg in the first game of a rehab stint and will return to St. Louis to be evaluated.

Freese, a rookie batting .296 with four homers and 36 RBIs, was hurt in Monday's game with Class AA Springfield. He started the game as the designated hitter and was hurt running the bases in the fifth inning.

Freese has been out with a sprained right ankle and broken left toe since June 28. The Cardinals had anticipated Freese might return to the lineup by the weekend.