ST. LOUIS -- Brett Cecil returns from the disabled list on Wednesday not only encouraged by how he feels physically, but also rejuvenated by a reworked mental approach that sprouted out of a recent conversation with Chris Carpenter.
Cecil said he sought out advice from Carpenter, who was in town during the team's last homestand as part of his role as special assistant to the president of baseball operations. The two spent most of their time taking about the mental side of pitching and the importance of focusing on the next pitch, instead of a previous one that didn't go as planned.
It was an approach that Cecil was intentional about implementing during a rehab stint with Triple-A Memphis that concluded Sunday.
"I know they're Triple-A games, but at the same time, I've never really been able to slow the game down like I have the last four rehab outings," said Cecil, who did not allow a run with Memphis. "You don't really realize how important it is until you really do it. It's just a mental thought process of what you need to do to slow the game down, think a little bit clearer, focus on the right things."
Cecil hopes that changes, as well as a more aggressive strength and conditioning regimen, will help him be more successful as he comes off the DL for the second time this year. He'll re-enter a 'pen that has posted a 1.55 ERA in his absence. Cecil has a 5.70 ERA in 27 appearances this season.
"Honestly, the way this 'pen looks right now, I want meaningful innings, but at the same time, I don't want them," Cecil said. "Because if I'm getting meaningful innings, that means somebody has had a tough time. These guys are rolling right now, and I want them to keep going. I want to get in games wherever they need me and continue to work on this mental process that I'm doing."
Webb returns to Memphis
Left-handed reliever Tyler Webb was optioned to Triple-A Memphis following Tuesday's game in advance of Cecil's return. Webb pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings in six relief appearances for the Cardinals.
O'Neill activated
After a 10-day stint on the disabled list, outfielder Tyler O'Neill was activated prior to Tuesday's game. To create room on the roster, the Cardinals optioned Adolis Garcia to Triple-A. Garcia went 1-for-11 in five games (two starts) during his first big league stint.

Though O'Neill had been earmarked for everyday playing time at the time a groin injury sent him to the DL, he returns without that guarantee. Jose Martinez drew Tuesday's start in right field and will continue to split time in right with O'Neill.
Wacha on the mend
In addition to throwing off the mound, Michael Wacha is testing his healing left oblique by taking light swings and participating in fielding drills this week. "The early reports are encouraging," said Wacha, who added that, "the pain is gone.
"I didn't realize how much you needed your oblique for basically everything," Wacha said. "It was a struggle getting out of bed, getting off the couch, you feel it on everything, every breath, every sneeze, every cough. Once that went away after a couple weeks, it's been nice. I've been able to get in the weight room working out and getting strong. It's been feeling really good."
Wacha, who has been sidelined since June 21, will throw his fourth bullpen session of the month Wednesday or Thursday. Afterward, he'll be reevaluated to determine his readiness for a Minor League rehab assignment. The Cardinals plan to have Wacha make several Minor League appearances so he can build up to return as a starter.

Report card
Tuesday marked one month since the Cardinals handed over managerial duties to Shildt. Since replacing Mike Matheny, Shildt has led the club to 17 wins, tying him with Eddie Dyer (1946), Frankie Frisch (1933), Vernon Rapp (1977), Ray Blades (1939) and Rogers Hornsby (1925) for the most managerial wins through the first 26 games in franchise history.
But has the new position and increased public profile changed how he's noticed around town?
"I don't know. I don't go out," Shildt said. "I eat after the game. I go home. I sleep. I come back here. I suppose maybe one day I'll get out and people will recognize me. It may be a little awkward. I don't shun it, but I don't look at myself as any kind of public figure. It'd be kind of weird to think that's the case."
Worth noting
• Fox Sports Midwest will have its annual 'This One's For You' telecast Wednesday, during which FSM will interview members of the 35th Engineer Brigade of the Missouri Army National Guard deployed to the Middle East. Members of that brigade will watch the Cardinals game from Kuwait, and several of their family members and friends will be present at Busch Stadium.