The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS - Jim Edmonds bruised his ribs making a lunging catch in the Cardinals game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night and will be sidelined for at least the next few days.

Trainer Barry Weinberg said there was some slight separation of the ribs from the cartilage. But he said the team wouldn't have a time frame for Edmonds' return until the weekend.

"It's very serious," Weinberg said. "Right now, without overreacting, we'll see how it is Saturday and Sunday."

General manager Walt Jocketty said simply, "It's not good."

Edmonds robbed Brad Ausmus of a hit when he snared a sinking liner in shallow center field, but came up holding his right side.

"Usually when you dive in the outfield you slide a little bit in the grass, and it just stuck," Edmonds said. "It felt like everything just stretched.

"It's just sore and we'll just have to wait and see how it is tomorrow."

At the plate in the bottom of the first he fouled off the first pitch from Jonathan Johnson, then held his side again and was removed for pinch-hitter Orlando Palmeiro after consulting Weinberg.

Edmonds was batting .299 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs this season.

"I'm feeling all right," Edmonds said. "We'll just have to wait and see."

The Cardinals lost second baseman Fernando Vina on Sunday with a torn hamstring that will sideline him six to 12 weeks.