The Associated Press

WASHINGTON - A government ban on sales of ephedra kicks in today unless a federal judge issues the dwindling industry a late reprieve.

The herbal stimulant, once hugely popular for weight loss and bodybuilding, has been linked to 155 deaths - including that of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler a year ago - and dozens more heart attacks and strokes.

After years of fighting manufacturers over ephedra's risks, the Food and Drug Administration announced in December it would ban sales of the amphetamine-like herb - the first such ban of a dietary supplement - and urged consumers to quit using it immediately.

METS: Left fielder Cliff Floyd left Sunday's game against the Montreal Expos in the first inning with a strained right thigh.

Floyd was running to first after hitting a weak infield grounder and started limping before getting to the base.

CARDS: Outfielder Roger Cedeno was placed on the 15-day disabled list and second baseman Bo Hart was recalled from Triple-A.

Cedeno, acquired from the New York Mets just before the start of the regular season, re-injured his strained left hamstring while chasing Danny Bautista's single in the eighth inning of Saturday night's 10-2 victory over Arizona.

Hart batted .277 as a rookie last season after being called up from Memphis. He started 68 games for St. Louis.