It’s common for rehabbing major leaguers to spoil the fellas in the minor league clubhouses that they visit. Whether it’s a meal, a new recliner or a flat-screen television, the big leaguers throw down some cash and the underpaid farm hands live in luxury for a moment.
Kyle Lohse underwent surgery on his right forearm in late May and is making a final minor league rehab start on Thursday night at the Cardinals’ Double-A affiliate in Springfield, Missouri.
B.J. Rains of FOX Sports Midwest is on hand for the rehab outing and passes along word that Lohse bought the Double-A clubhouse a ping-pong table at the request of Springfield’s regulars.
The 31-year-old right-hander signed a four-year, $41 million contract with the Cardinals after a solid 2008 season, so it’s no skin off his back. He will rejoin the big-league rotation next week if all goes well on Thursday evening. Lohse had a 5.89 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in nine starts before landing on the disabled list.