Lohse scratched from Sunday start

Sep 28, 2008 - 6:19 PM ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- St. Louis Cardinals righthander Kyle Lohse was scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds.

Fellow righthander Brad Thompson (5-3, 5.13 ERA) will start in his place.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on Sunday that Lohse is undergoing an examination on his arm in preparation for a pending contract extension for the soon-to-be free agent. While nothing is official, the team is planning to make an announcement on Sunday, according to the report.

"I think what it means is there is interest and possibly progress in the negotiations," Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa said.

Lohse signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Cardinals during spring training after splitting last season between the Reds and Philadelphia Phillies. He has responded with the best season of his career, going 15-6 with a 3.78 ERA in 200 innings pitched. The 15 wins are a career-high.