Travis Smith will take Kile's spot

The Cardinals will recall rookie right-hander Travis Smith before the weekend to take the place of Darryl Kile in the rotation.

Smith, who was 3-4 with a 1.75 ERA at Triple-A Memphis, was already in uniform on Thursday and manager Tony La Russa said, "I know he's pitching Saturday." But the team had not made the move official.

"There's not a lot to say about the situation," Smith, 29, said. "I'll just do the best I can."

Smith said the Memphis Redbirds were devastated by the death of Kile, 33, Saturday. The Cardinals held a memorial service for the pitcher Wednesday.

"I wasn't here when it all happened, but we took it the same down there," Smith said.

-- AP