Ankiel takes a step on comeback trail

Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher/outfielder Rick Ankiel attends St. Louis Cardinals spring training in 2018. Photo by Chris Lee,One-time Cardinal Rick Ankiel, who announced last summer he wanted to try to come back as a reliever after the presumed end to his career, played catch for the first time Tuesday after elbow surgery in late October. He said he still intended to pitch this year and is hopeful of doing so by June.

He then decided to try the outfield. After winning in double figures (11 victories) as a rookie starter, he hit double-figure home runs with 25 in 2008 and became the first player since Babe Ruth to win at least 10 games as a pitcher and hit at least 50 home runs in his…