Rolen to have shoulder surgery

NOTES

Scott Rolen will have surgery on his left shoulder, leaving the St. Louis Cardinals without their All-Star third baseman for the rest of the season.

Rolen, 30, has a torn labrum and was told he will need at least six months to rehabilitate it after surgery. He is expected to return by or during spring training. Had he waited on surgery, he could have missed considerable time in 2006.

Grudzielanek hospitalized

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek was hospitalized overnight with a knee infection and will not travel with the Cardinals for the start of a four-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Grudzielanek had a previous injury to his left knee that became worse Saturday when he slid safely home on a squeeze play during the Cardinals’ 4-2 win over the San Francisco Giants.

The knee swelled and Grudzielanek spent the night at Barnes-Jewish Hospital West in St. Louis County. He was discharged Sunday but was not at the game.

Manager Tony La Russa said Grudzielanek will be sidelined a couple of days and it may be longer.

Piazza placed on D.L.

Mike Piazza was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a broken bone in his left hand, leaving the New York Mets without another key player as they try to make a push for the playoffs.

•The San Francisco Giants placed closer Tyler Walker on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his throwing shoulder.