NL Central Watch: June 19

Here’s a quick glance at what’s happening around the National League Central.

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Disptatch details just how much the Cardinals miss Albert Pujols.

It looks as if the Brewers bullpen will move a step closer to being at full strength. Meanwhile, Brewers slugger Prince Fielder is staying mum on reports he owes $400,000 in back taxes.

Indications are the Reds youth movement will continue with the expected promotion of 22-year-old right-hander Daryl Thompson.

Elsewhere around the NL, heres a fowl story on one fans reaction to the Mets firing of manager Willie Randolph.

Check back later for updates.

The Latest
About 330 employees were laid off between a plant in Chicago and one in Lima, Ohio. The company blamed the strike for disrupting operations and causing the layoffs.
Preliminary autopsies show that five people who were killed in a central Illinois crash involving a semitruck carrying anhydrous ammonia died from exposure to the caustic chemical.
Nick Epley and Austan Goolsbee found the mother of all spreads of hen of the woods on Sunday.
The prize on the line for the next drawing Wednesday night has grown so massive because there have been 33 consecutive drawings since someone won the jackpot.
The familiar fall delights are within reach of almost every Chicago neighborhood — and most are under $5 apiece.