St. Louis Cardinals reliever Jason Isringhausen lost the closer role twice and is headed to the 15-day disabled list for the second time this year after an MRI on Tuesday revealed right elbow tendinitis and a partially torn tendon.  The injury is serious enough that it Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak speculating this injury might end the season for Isringhausen.

The 35-year-old reliever is a free agent at the end of 2008 and, if his season is over, Isringhausen may have pitched his last game in a Cardinals’ uniform.  He is 1-5 with a 5.7o ERA and 12-for-17 in save opportunities in 2008 and is the franchise leader in saves with 217. 

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Former Yankee Hideki Irabu was arrested in Osaka, Japan and charged with assaulting a bartender after drinking 20 mugs of beer, according to police officials.

The 39-year-old Irabu allegedly pushed the bartender against the wall and smashed nine liquor bottles after his credit card was rejected.  Irabu then paid with another card.  When police arrived on the scene, Irabu admitted the assault.

Irabu played six seasons in the Majors with the Yankees, Expos and Rangers and returned to Japan in 2003 to play with the Hanshin Tigers.  He retired in 2005 and currently resides in California.

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The San Diego Padres activated Brett Tomko from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday.  Tomko went on the DL on July 8 with a right elbow strain just 11 days after joining the Padres after his release from the Kansas City Royals earlier this year.

Tomko made two appearances with the Padres before the injury and gave up one run in three innings.  Before his release from the Royals, Tomko was 2-7 with a 6.97 ERA in 16 games (10 starts) with Kansas City.