Encarnacion lost for season, career in jeopardy

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Juan Encarnacion will miss the remainder of the season and his career is in jeopardy after sustaining multiple fractures of his left eye socket when struck by a foul ball Friday night.

It was the latest blow in a star-crossed season for the defending World Series champions, who somehow are just 2 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central.

"This is a serious hit, career-threatening," manager Tony La Russa said Saturday. "The other ones are not to be diminished, like (Chris) Carpenter's arm, but they're not in the same category. It's like Josh."

The Cardinals have persevered through the death of reliever Josh Hancock, ace pitcher Chris Carpenter's season-ending elbow injury, utilityman Scott Spiezio undergoing treatment for substance abuse and manager Tony La Russa's DUI in spring training. Friday was a double whammy with Scott Rolen placed on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder injury that likely will sideline him the rest of the season, and then Encarnacion's frightening injury.

The 31-year-old Encarnacion was hospitalized for continued observation, evaluation and treatment. The team said in a statement he would be re-evaluated daily and that the long-term prognosis was "undetermined at this time."

Albert Pujols kept Encarnacion company at the hospital until 3 a.m. Saturday and visited again before leaving for the ballpark for a night game against the Reds. Aaron Miles, Joel Pineiro and Yadier Molina also spent several hours with their fallen teammate.

"Today he was in better spirits," Pujols said. "I didn't try to talk too much about the injury, I was making sure he wasn't in pain. They're taking care of him pretty good."

Encarnacion was struck while waiting in the on-deck circle in the sixth inning of Friday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. He was about to pinch hit and had no time to react when Miles was late on an 0-1 outside pitch from left-hander Jon Coutlangus.