ST. LOUIS — John Smoltz agreed to a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday, giving the 42-year-old former ace a chance to rejuvenate his career in the middle of a pennant race.

Smoltz joined the NL Central leaders shortly after he cleared waivers, following his release by Boston. He was 2-5 with an 8.33 ERA in eight starts for the Red Sox.

General manager John Mozeliak said Smoltz would likely start Sunday at San Diego, and would probably get at least a few turns in the rotation. The GM said Smoltz didn't ask to start as a "negotiating ploy."

"He had very little demands," Mozeliak said on a conference call. "He had no demands. From everything he had heard about this club, he was excited to take this opportunity. The reason for the start was just to get him work and know what we have."

The Cardinals hope the former Cy Young winner can either fill a void as the fifth starter or provide right-handed relief in the bullpen.

"He's going to do whatever we need the most," manager Tony La Russa said before the Cardinals faced the Dodgers. "It'll be really good for him to come out and stretch out his arm and work on his pitches and let us take a look at him."

Smoltz is 212-152 with a 3.32 ERA and 154 saves in 21 seasons. An eight-time All-Star, he's the only pitcher in major league history with 200 wins and 150 saves.

DODGERS

MOVING PITCHERS

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed right-hander Hiroki Kuroda on the disabled list while he recovers from post-concussion symptoms and signed free agent pitcher Vicente Padilla, two days after the right-hander was released by Texas.

Kuroda was hit in the head by a line drive at Arizona on Saturday. Right-hander Jeff Weaver will take Kuroda's turn in the rotation in the series opener against the Chicago Cubs today.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre said that Padilla will pitch Saturday at Triple-A Albuquerque before joining the Dodgers.

Padilla's first scheduled start for his new team will be Aug. 27 at Colorado.

ELSEWHERE

Astros: Houston left-hander Mike Hampton has a partially torn rotator cuff and hopes to pitch again this season. Hampton (7-10, 5.30 ERA) went on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday. An MRI taken yesterday revealed the extent of the injury, the team announced.

Indians: Cleveland placed outfielder Trevor Crowe on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right oblique and recalled first baseman-outfielder Matt LaPorta from Triple-A Columbus yesterday. LaPorta made his major league debut with the Indians in May. In 13 games, he batted .190 with one homer and four RBIs.

Reds: Cincinnati placed center fielder Willy Taveras on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with a strained right quadriceps and called up outfielder Drew Stubbs from Triple-A Louisville. Taveras was hurt on a bunt attempt in the seventh inning of Tuesday's 8-5, 10-inning loss to San Francisco.

Japan Pacific League: All players and staff of the Nippon Ham Fighters baseball team will be tested for swine flu after two players and a coach contracted the virus, the Japanese Pacific League team said yesterday. Outfielder Terrmel Sledge, pitcher Naoki Miyanishi and head coach Junichi Fukura were confirmed to have contracted the virus.