Jason

Simontacchi

Simontacchi, who has a 6.64 ERA this season, won’t have any fantasy value while pitching in middle relief.

Simontacchi and Jason Isringhausen were originally going to pitch for Bradley in the game in order to face Single-A Peoria’s hitters. But NCAA rules prohibited the move. Simontacchi is scheduled to start Sunday against Houston.

After initially listing Simontacchi as Tuesday’s starter against the Reds, manager Tony La Russa switched to Brett Tomko and elected to push his fifth starter to the back of the rotation.

Simontacchi’s next start isn’t until Saturday at Kansas City.

La Russa added that he hoped the club would get the starting pitching they need to be able to leave Simontacchi in the pen, where he is 3-0 and has allowed zero earned runs over nine innings in four appearances. Simontacchi has a 6.72 ERA as a starter.

Nothing is wrong with Jason Isringhausen. He was just unavailable after being used in five of the previous seven games.

This would have Simontacchi’s day to start, so the lengthy outing was no problem. There’s a good chance he will reclaim his rotation spot because of Haren’s poor performance today.

Williams has been bothered the last couple days by a stiff neck, although he insisted it wouldn’t bother him pitching. If he gets skipped, Garrett Stephenson and Brett Tomko would work on Wednesday and Thursday, with Matt Morris pitching on five days’ rest on Friday followed by Williams on Saturday on nine days’ rest.

Just in case. Simontacchi has a 5.14 ERA in 14 innings for the Cardinals this season.

Both teams are off Monday. Roy Oswalt almost certained will start on Tuesday for Houston. Jason Simontacchi could be pushed to the back of the rotation, leaving Woody Williams to start on Tuesday.