Cardinals Add Weaver, Send Mayers Down

(photo: Luke Weaver/Memphis Redbirds)

St. Louis Cardinals press release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to this evening’s (Monday) game that they have recalled right-handed pitcher Luke Weaver from Memphis (AAA) and that they had optioned right-handed pitcher Mike Mayers to the triple-A club following last night’s game.

Luke Weaver/USA TODAY Sports Images

Weaver, 23, will be making his 2017 debut with the Cardinals.  The former number one draft selection made his majors debut last season, going 1-4 with a 5.70 ERA in nine games (eight starts), totaling 36.1 innings pitched.

Weaver has enjoyed a strong season at Memphis this season, going 7-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 11 games started, allowing just 19 walks and three home runs in his 56.0 innings pitched while striking out 60.

The 6-2, 170-pound Weaver was recently named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team and he took PCL Pitcher of the Month honors in May when he went 5-1 with a 2.19 ERA in six starts.   He followed up his May performance with a 2-0 mark and 1.59 ERA in four June starts, including an 11-strikeout performance on June 5 at New Orleans.

Weaver, who was the Cardinals number one draft selection (27th player overall) in June of 2014 out of Florida State University, ranks T2nd in the PCL in wins (7) and his 1.93 ERA and .096 WHIP would pace the league if he had enough innings pitched to qualify.

Mike Mayers/USA TODAY Sports Images

Mayers, who logged 3.0 innings of relief last night, had made two relief appearances with the Cardinals, totaling 4.0 IP, since his June 25 call-up to the majors.

Weaver wears no. 62 and will be in uniform for tonight’s series opener with Miami.

Brian Walton’s take

The second to last paragraph says it all. This is about trading a tired arm for a fresh one. Mayers went three innings Sunday night while Weaver is fully rested, having been Memphis’ scheduled starter on Monday night.

Mayers will likely return to the Redbirds’ rotation, though obviously not on Monday.


Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Gulf Coast League Notebook: 2017 Week 1

Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.

Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnationblog.com. Follow Brian on Twitter.

© 2017 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.