News about Isringhausen expected today

Because of a physical or mental reason — or a combination of both — Jason Isringhausen isn't able to pitch anymore. After giving up four runs (three earned) and retiring only one hitter in the eighth inning of the Cardinals' 11-5 loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday, Isringhausen talked like a man who had reached the end of his major-league usefulness.

It's sad, really. Isringhausen is a warrior, a stand-up guy. He has closed so many tight games and is one of the big reasons the Cardinals have had such success in recent years. But the Isringhausen we're seeing now isn't the Isringhausen we have seen in the past. The Cardinals no longer can afford to send him to the mound. He is a broken man.

I expect the Cardinals to place Isringhausen on the disabled list today. Izzy insists he isn't injured, but one has to wonder whether his surgically repaired left hip is acting up again. That would at least provide an explanation for his amazing ineffectiveness.

The other options are to: 1) Continue to pitch Isringhausen; 2) Designate him for assignment and send him to the minors once he clears waivers; 3) Release him.

A trip to the disabled list makes the most sense. Izzy is expected to see a doctor today. Some sort of injury could be discovered. It's easy to suspect the hip.

With the exception of rookie Kyle McClellan, the Cardinals' aging bullpen is a mess. Besides Isringhausen, Tony La Russa has to be careful with Ryan Franklin (age 35), Russ Springer (39) and Ron Villone (38), who has allowed seven runs in his last two outings. Randy Flores is a one-inning pitcher. Another rookie, Mike Parisi, can't be used because the Cardinals are concerned the soreness in the back of Kyle Lohse's shoulder will prohibit him from making his start Sunday.

This team needs a fresh arm or two, an influx of youth. Chris Perez would be a welcome addition. He is the closer at Class AAA Memphis. He throws 98 mph. Enough said. Taking a look at another Memphis reliever, Jason Motte, wouldn't be such a bad idea, either. Kelvin Jimenez is an option. Flores' brother, Ron, has been lights-out at Memphis.

There are solutions. This can be fixed.

It's ironic that Isringhausen's struggles reached a pinnacle the day before Troy Percival arrived in St. Louis with the Tampa Bay Rays, who are at Busch Stadium for a three-game weekend series that starts tonight at 7:15. Percival, who was 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in 34 games with the Cardinals last season, saved his 10th game in 12 opportunities Thursday night in the Rays' win over the Yankees. He has allowed seven hits in 16 innings, with two walks and 15 strikeouts.

Percival, however, wasn't going to be the closer in St. Louis, not after a year when Isringhausen had 32 saves in 34 chances. Besides, the Cardinals weren't going to give big money to a 38-year-old like Percival, who didn't even pitch in 2006. Percival got a two-year, $8 million deal from Tampa Bay. Fiscal irresponsibility, maybe, on the surface. But it's worked out wonderfully for the Rays.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, picked up the $8 million option on Isringhausen, who is 11-for-17 in saves and possibly at the crossroads of his career.