St. Louis will not have the services of starter Mark Mulder (shoulder) or closer Jason Isringhausen (hip) for the rest of this season, but it is possible they could get shortstop David Eckstein back. Eckstein has been out with a strained left oblique that he injured turning a double play more than a month ago. With a crucial series with the Astros this weekend, Eckstein is hopeful that he can return this before the Cardinals leave Houston.
Eckstein complained about lingering pain in his side earlier this week, but said he felt no pain as of Thursday.