The Associated Press

NEW YORK - New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza said he stopped taking an ephedra-based supplement following the death of Baltimore pitcher Steve Bechler in spring training.

Piazza told the Daily News on Sunday that he was "freaked out" by Bechler's death, believed to be related to the pitcher's use of an ephedra-based diet pill.

Piazza addressed the subject Sunday when asked about a story in the current of issue of Playboy that quotes the star catcher as saying, "Ripped Fuel is kind of cool." Ripped Fuel is a nutritional supplement that contains ephedra.

"Obviously, that interview happened before (Bechler died)," Piazza said. "Once I heard about it, I was like, 'Whoa.' I stopped taking it. You've got to be careful."

CARDINALS: Outfielder and catcher Eli Marrero will undergo surgery today to repair ligament damage in his right ankle.

Marrero severely sprained his ankle Sunday when he slipped on wet grass while chasing a fly ball against the Chicago Cubs. He was carried off on a stretcher.

Marrero is batting .227 with two homers and 15 RBI.

YANKEES: The bullpen could soon be getting a key member back.

Antonio Osuna didn't allow a hit over two scoreless innings in his first rehabilitation appearance for Class-A Tampa on Monday night and might fly back to New York to rejoin the team as soon as today.

The right-hander is on the 15-day disabled list with a right groin strain.

"I'm ready to go back," Osuna said after throwing 22 of 31 pitches for strike.

BATS: Left-hander Jimmy Anderson, 1-2 with an 8.27 ERA for the Reds, improved to 3-0 with the Louisville Bats Monday.

Anderson gave up one run on nine hits while striking out four over seven innings in the Bats' 7-3 victory over Pawtucket.

ASTROS: Left-handed pitcher Jeriome Robertson was recalled while right-hander Kirk Saarloos was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans.

Robertson was 1-3 with an 8.36 ERA in six starts for the Astros earlier this season. Robertson gave up five earned runs in 6 2/3 innings in one start with New Orleans.