Mark Mulder, limited by a shoulder injury to just three major-league appearances since the 2006 season, was activated yesterday by the St. Louis Cardinals and sent to their bullpen.

The left-hander, coming back from two shoulder operations, made three starts last September and was 0-3 with a 12.27 ERA.

"We will see how it goes," said Mulder, who was 0-3 with a 13.50 ERA in three rehabilitation starts for Triple-A Memphis.

He has made 202 major league appearances, all starts, going 103-60.

"Based on his experience, I don't think anybody is going to be comfortable hitting against him," said manager Tony La Russa.

To make room for Mulder, the Cardinals optioned pitcher Mike Parisi to Triple-A Memphis.

St. Louis had hoped Mulder could start today against the Royals but his back felt stiff during a rehab start Monday and he had a so-so bullpen session on Thursday.

Mulder temporarily will fill the void left by Randy Flores, who has left ankle tendinitis and on Thursday became the seventh Cardinals pitcher on the DL. Flores had been the second left-handed reliever alongside Ron Villone.

"I'm definitely excited. Obviously, there's a need for it," Mulder said. "I've always liked facing lefties."

PADRES

TOMKO ON 3RD STRETCH

Brett Tomko rejoined the San Diego Padres yesterday, six days after he was waived by the Kansas City Royals.

To make room, left-handed reliever Justin Hampson was optioned to Triple-A Portland.

This is Tomko's third stint with the Padres. He pitched for the Padres in 2002 and rejoined them for the stretch drive last year.

The 35-year-old was 2-7 with a 6.97 earned run average in 16 games with the Royals, including 10 starts. Opponents hit .314 off him. He signed a $3 million, one-year deal in January.

YANKEES

MATSUI GOES ON DL

Hideki Matsui was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday, retroactive to Monday, with a sore left knee, leaving the New York Yankees without one of their key sluggers.

Manager Joe Girardi said he hopes Matsui's balky knee won't keep him out longer than a couple weeks.

"I hope it settles down," Girardi said.

Matsui is batting .323 with seven homers and 34 RBIs in 69 games this season.

ELSEWHERE

Orioles: Baltimore's Matt Albers has two options after an MRI revealed a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He can choose to rehabilitate the shoulder, which would probably keep him sidelined for at least two months, or he can opt season-ending surgery.

Pirates: Tampa Bay first baseman Carlos Pena was activated off the 15-day disabled list yesterday after a 3 1/2-week layoff with a broken left index finger and was in last night's starting lineup against Pittsburgh.

Royals: Kansas City utility infielder Alberto Callaspo was arrested early yesterday on suspicion of driving under the influence and spent more than seven hours in jail. The Royals said they were still looking into the incident and Callaspo would be available to play this weekend.

Red Sox: Major League Baseball reduced Coco Crisp's suspension from seven days to five for his role in a bench-clearing brawl in Boston's game with Tampa Bay on June 5. The Red Sox centerfielder will begin serving his suspension today.