ST. LOUIS -- Shortstop David Eckstein was out of the lineup on Sunday after being hit with a pitch on his right index finger in Saturday night's game vs. the Braves.

Eckstein squared down to lay a bunt in the eighth inning on Saturday, but he was hit directly on his finger by a Peter Moylan fastball. Eckstein wasn't able to pull back quickly enough and the pitch was actually called a strike.

The shortstop finished the at-bat, eventually getting down the bunt, but he didn't play in the ninth inning. He underwent an X-ray on the finger after the game, and it came back negative, which was good news for the Cards. But manager Tony La Russa still decided to give Eckstein the day off to rest.

"He's got some swelling, and it's a little sore," La Russa said. "He should be good to go by Tuesday."

With the Cards' last off-day of the season set for Monday, Eckstein will get two days to rest the swollen index finger. Eckstein said the finger was still a little tender on Sunday morning, but he could have played if he had to. The shortstop participated in normal batting practice before Sunday's game and didn't report any problems.

With Eckstein out of the lineup, Scott Rolen wasn't given his normal day off. La Russa planned on giving Rolen Sunday off to rest, but he'll now look to do that on Tuesday.

Since the Cards are currently carrying six outfielders, they only have one backup infielder on a normal basis. With Eckstein most likely unavailable for Sunday's finale, So Taguchi is the team's backup option in the infield.

"When Eck got hit, I figured I'd be in there today," Rolen said. "I'm good to go. It shouldn't be a problem."

Mulder update: Injured left-hander Mark Mulder made his third rehab start on Sunday afternoon for Class A Palm Beach.

Mulder threw four innings, allowing one run on two hits. The lefty struck out two and walked two. He threw a total of 54 pitches, 35 for strikes and 19 for balls.

Mulder's fastball was clocked at 87-90 mph in the first inning and 87-88 mph in the fourth. His easiest frame was the second, when he threw just eight pitches, and his most taxing was the fourth, when he threw 17 pitches.

In three rehab starts, Mulder has allowed two earned runs in 9 1/3 innings, while striking out five and walking three.

The lefty is now expected to make his final rehab start on Friday at Triple-A Memphis. He's then expected to be activated on Sept. 1, when the rosters expand. He will likely head to the bullpen, instead of starting, and provide some left-handed depth to Randy Flores and Tyler Johnson out of the bullpen.

Mulder was originally scheduled to go up against Pedro Martinez on Sunday, but the rehabbing Mets ace was bumped back to Monday, negating the exciting matchup.

Maroth heading out: Injured left-hander Mike Maroth left St. Louis on Sunday to start a rehab assignment at Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Maroth will throw 30 pitches for Memphis on Monday, and then he'll throw again on Friday, the same day Mulder is expected to throw.

Tough draw for Wells: Starter Kip Wells was originally scheduled to start Thursday's game in Houston, but he was bumped up to Wednesday, taking Anthony Reyes' spot in the rotation.

With the new date, Wells will now throw against Astros ace Roy Oswalt. In his past three starts, Wells has been matched up against some of the best pitchers in baseball. Last Sunday, in a game that was eventually rained out, Wells threw three innings against Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano. He then took the hill on Friday against Braves veteran John Smoltz.

Wells said knowing that the game will most likely be a low-scoring contest doesn't change much for him, and he still just tries to go out and give his team a chance to win.

Short 'pen: La Russa said Russ Springer, who picked up his seventh win of the season on Saturday, was unavailable for Sunday's contest. Springer has pitched an inning in four of the past five games, and La Russa said he'd like to give Springer two days off with an off-day set for Monday.

Baby 'Birds: Triple-A Memphis lost Albuquerque, 9-3, on Saturday. Skip Schumaker was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. Starter Mike Smith was tagged for eight earned runs in 3 1/3 innings. ... Double-A Springfield split a doubleheader with Arkansas. In the Game 2 win, Colby Rasmus went 3-for-4, with his 25th homer of the season. Cody Haerther also added a homer and two RBIs ... Class A Palm Beach beat St. Lucie, 12-2. Adam Ottavino gave up one run in five innings to earn his 12th win of the season. He's now 12-7. Allen Craig, Dan Nelson and Luke Gorsett all homered in the win. ... Class A Quad Cities lost to Cedar Rapids, 4-1. Oliver Marmol drove in the lone run.

Class A short-season Batavia lost to Auburn, 5-4. In his first game since being promoted, Travis Mitchell was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Will Groff also added two hits. ... Rookie-level Johnson City lost to Burlington, 9-4. Matt Arburr hit a solo homer. ... The Gulf Coast League Cardinals lost to the GCL Marlins, 7-6. Scott Thomas was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

Coming up: After an off-day on Monday, the Cards will head to Houston for a three-game series with their National League Central Division rival. Braden Looper (10-10, 4.90 ERA) will start the opener, while the Astros will send former Cardinals pitcher Woody Williams (8-12, 4.84 ERA) to the mound. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. CT.