ST. LOUIS -- Despite a National League-best 18-8 record, despite a three-game winning streak, the Cardinals felt they couldn't wait any longer to shake up their bullpen.

Before Thursday's home game against the Padres, St. Louis activated left-handed reliever Bill Pulsipher from the disabled list and purchased the contract of right-hander Brad Thompson from Triple-A Memphis. Pulsipher had been pitching at Memphis on a rehabilitation assignment. Right-hander Jimmy Journell and left-hander Carmen Cali were optioned to Memphis.

"We decided that we've got two really talented guys in Jim and Carmen, and we think they need a little bit more time and experience," said manager Tony La Russa. "So we're gonna send them out, let them get some more experience, and at the same time we need to take a look at Pulsipher, see how he looks. Thompson is an intriguing guy. We like ground-ball [outs], and he can throw a ground-ball [out]."

Pulsipher made the Cardinals in Spring Training as a non-roster invitee to camp, but was bothered by hamstring troubles late in the spring and early in the regular season. It was decided that he should be placed on the DL in order to take some time to build up strength in the muscle. Pulsipher made three rehab appearances at Memphis, pitching a shutout inning in each of the first two, but being reached for five runs in 1 2/3 innings in his last outing Monday.

The game was something of a concern for the club's staff, but La Russa said that the Cardinals couldn't continue to go with the struggling Journell and Cali.

"We needed the help now," he said. "(Pulsipher) was ready. He says he's been ready."

Thompson, who emerged as an intriguing prospect last season thanks to a Southern League-record 49-inning scoreless streak, is a ground-ball pitcher. He doesn't throw particularly hard, but he's considered a savvy hurler. The main thing the Cardinals want him to do is induce grounders. Thompson was moved from starting to relieving this spring.

"He's got to understand what he needs to build his game around," said pitching coach Dave Duncan. "And he needs to build his game around the sinker. And if he keeps his sinker down, he's gonna get a lot of ground balls. That can be a huge asset for us, if you have somebody that you can bring in with runners on base, and feel reasonably sure that you're gonna get a ground ball."

Eldred's progress: Cal Eldred dressed out in his batting practice uniform Thursday, another small step as he recovers from a viral infection that inflamed the lining of his heart. Eldred has begun participating in very light baseball activities, though it's still expected to be quite some time before he can exercise vigorously.

"The doctor called it a transition week," Elded said. "They've allowed me to play catch. It's not probably what I call catch. It's catch with my kids -- that's what it was the last two days. And that's it.

"We'll see how I feel after this week is over. If I'm feeling fine, then we'll huddle up again and decide what's next. All I know is I get to go out and probably do what I really need to do, and that's stretch a little bit, play some real easy catch and go from there."

Eldred hasn't pitched since April 10, when he tossed an inning at home against the Phillies.

Walker returns: After missing the entire series in Cincinnati with a sore left groin, right fielder Larry Walker was reinstated to the starting lineup Thursday against the Padres. Walker popped up in his first at-bat, but singled in the third inning against right-hander Brian Lawrence, whom he's always hit well.

Today in Busch history: On May 5, 1975, the Cardinals got a resounding win in a matchup of future Hall of Famers. Bob Gibson allowed two earned runs in seven innings for the victory over Steve Carlton, who was drilled for eight earnies in one-plus inning. Reggie Smith, Ted Simmons and Mike Tyson all went deep for the Cardinals. Thanks to Project Retrosheet (www.retrosheet.org) for the information.

Baby 'Birds: Skip Schumaker had three hits and Hector Luna reached base three times, but Nerio Rodriguez was drilled in Triple-A Memphis' 10-2 loss to Omaha on Wednesday. ... Tyler Minges homered and doubled for Double-A Springfield in a 5-4 win over San Antonio. ... Class A Palm Beach's game against Daytona was rained out. ... Brandon Yarbrough went 3-for-4 in Class A Quad Cities' 9-4 loss to Lansing.

The player of the day is Springfield's Minges, who scored two runs and drove in two on a 2-for-4 night. The 25-year-old outfielder signed with the Cardinals organization as a free agent this past winter.

Coming up: Jeff Suppan tries to get back to .500 when he takes the mound against Darrell May and the Padres at 7:10 p.m. CT on Friday. On Saturday afternoon at 1:15 p.m., the Cards send Chris Carpenter to the hill against San Diego.