In a pinch, Mac may return

ESPN.com News - Cardinals manager Tony La Russa told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in Saturday's editions that he plans to activate Mark McGwire from the disabled list Sept. 1 and will employ him as a pinch-hitter. McGwire, though, says that if and when he comes back, he wants to come back as a full-time player.

The medical report on McGwire is that he is "slightly improved." La Russa said that he's been told it wouldn't be too much of a stretch for McGwire to pinch-hit Sept. 1.

McGwire hasn't played since July 6 because of a knee injury. Big Mac has 30 homers and 69 RBI in 221 at-bats this season.