St. Louis ? The St. Louis Cardinals told the baseball commissioner’s office that the club planned disciplinary action against reliever Steve Kline after an outburst during Wednesday night’s 10-9 win over the Chicago Cubs.

General manager Walt Jocketty told Major League Baseball vice president Bob Watson of the Cardinals’ intention to fine Kline, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Friday.

Chicago television footage showed Kline making an obscene gesture to manager Tony La Russa when La Russa chose not to bring him into the Cubs’ six-run sixth inning.

Kline entered in the eighth inning, when the Cardinals took the lead, and pitched the ninth inning. Kline later said he was angry for being bypassed against hitter Todd Walker after being told earlier to prepare to face him.

Kline emphasized Thursday that the outburst was not directed at La Russa.

“People think I’m mad at him,” Kline said. “I’m not mad at Tony, I’m mad at the situation.”

Kline said he always had gotten along with La Russa.

Jocketty said Kline’s action showed a lack of respect for the manager and the organization.

La Russa downplayed the incident Thursday and said he didn’t want to get into it. “So if we’re going to talk some baseball, we’ll talk baseball.”