Ray

King

King has struggled recently, but he’ll be included on Atlanta’s playoff roster.

King experienced an elbow “twinge” shortly after arriving in camp and was pushed back as a precaution.

King got tossed even though the Rockies were up 16-9 at the time. It forced the club to bring in Jose Mesa for the third time in four days.

Given King’s build, he probably not the type a pitcher a team should want to give a long-term contract to. Still, two years is fine for perhaps the game’s premier lefty specialist. He’ll probably get a chance to face more righties next season with Steve Kline leaving.

King wasn’t eligible for free agency, so $4.6 million is fair. The contract includes an option for 2007.

King certainly didn’t perform up to his usual standards this season and it’s easy to see why. He accompanied the Cardinals to San Diego for Game 3 and will attend the funeral on Tuesday.

King threw to one batter and got the out Sunday in the Cardinals’ 100th victory. He retired left-handed Adam Dunn on a fly out deep to right on a full-count pitch. He’ll serve as the left-handed specialist in St. Louis’ bullpen during the postseason.

King issued the Cardinals’ 10th free pass of the game before departing.

Manager Tony La Russa had already soured on King and he seemed especially afraid to use the lefty after King’s father, John, died Oct. 6, the day of Game 2 of the NLDS. Even though King had a disappointing year, there will be a market for him this winter. He’s working on a two-year, $4.6 million contract agreed to last winter.

King was one of the first players on the field on Monday at Busch Stadium for an off-day workout. He went out, threw in the bullpen, returned to the clubhouse and then he began his long drive home. “I know this is what he would be wanting me to be doing,” King said. “We’ll finally be putting him to rest on Wednesday and then I’ll get back here in time for Game 1. Whenever I take the mound, I know I’ll have an extra person behind me.”