Cardinals Promote Sierra, Send Down Valera

photo: Magneuris Sierra (USA TODAY Sports Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals added outfield depth in Magneuris Sierra, and sent second baseman Breyvic Valera to Triple-A Memphis, which opens the Pacific Coast League finals on Wednesday.

St. Louis Cardinals press release

Magneuris Sierra (USA TODAY Sport Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals announced that they have recalled outfielder Magneuris (Mag-NARE-ees) Sierra from Memphis (AAA) prior to this evening’s (Tuesday’s) game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium.  In addition, the club optioned infielder Breyvic Valera to Memphis yesterday.

Sierra, 21, has played at four levels this season (A, AA, AAA & MLB) and batted a combined .270 in 101 games with 20 steals between Palm Beach (A) and Springfield (AA) during the regular season.  Sierra was promoted to Memphis at season’s end to help during the Triple-A team’s playoff run and played in four games (.308, 4-13), making three starts in centerfield, during the Pacific Coast League American Conference championship games.  This will be Sierra’s fourth recall to St. Louis this season, having made his MLB debut on May 7 at Atlanta.  Sierra has a .365 MLB average (19-52) over 13 games with hits in all but two games and in his first nine Major League games.  Sierra wears uniform No. 43.

Breyvic Valera (USA TODAY Sports Images)

Valera made his MLB debut last week, on September 5 at San Diego, in a start at second base.  He was 1-5 in three games, with his first hit a pinch single last Thursday (9/9).  Valera hit .314 (133-424) in 117 games with Memphis this season and led the Redbirds in batting, hits and triples (6).

Brian Walton’s take

With Dexter Fowler and Tommy Pham affected by physical issues, it seems the Cardinals would prefer to have an extra center fielder in Sierra rather than Valera. The Triple-A Redbirds keep their 25-man roster full for the Pacific Coast League finals, rescheduled to open Wednesday night in Memphis.

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