"Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick began a rehabilitation assignment Tuesday night for Triple A Memphis with a bang -- hitting a two-run homer to center field in his first at-bat. Ludwick started in right field and batted third for the Redbirds, who played at home against the Omaha Royals.In his other two at-bats, Ludwick struck out and flied out before leaving the game, as planned, after the fifth inning. Ludwick, who his hitting .273 with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs, was placed on the disabled list July 3 (retroactive to June 26) with a strained left calf. "He's not going to be one of those guys whose go down there and half-steps the game," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He's really going to get himself ready. That's the best kind of test there is. I talked to (Memphis manager Chris Maloney), and he's excited to have him." The length of Ludwick's stay with Memphis is not known at this point. La Russa said he had "no idea" if Ludwick would join the team in Chicago on Friday for the start of a six-game road trip." http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2010/jul/20/cardinals-notebook-ludwick-begins-rehab-home-run/
