photo: Daniel Poncedeleon (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
The St. Louis Cardinals made roster room for their Monday starting pitcher by placing their regular second baseman on the disabled list.
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to tonight’s (Monday) series opener with Cincinnati that they have recalled rookie right-handed pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon from Memphis (AAA) and placed second baseman Kolten Wong (left knee inflammation) on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to July 22.
Poncedeleon, who was on the St. Louis roster earlier this season (June 11-13), but did not appear, will make his Major League debut tonight in a start against the Reds.
Poncedeleon, 26, was 9-3 with a 2.15 ERA for Memphis in 18 games (17 starts), ranking among Pacific Coast League leaders in ERA (2nd), wins (T2nd), strikeouts (103-3rd) and opponent’s batting average (.198-1st)
The 6-3, 205-pound California native was named to the PCL All-Star team earlier this month, and last week, was named the league’s Pitcher of the Week after posting a one-hit shutout against Omaha on July 15.
Poncedeleon appeared in just six games for Memphis last season, missing the remainder of the season after being struck in the head by a line drive on May 9 at Des Moines. The former 2014 draft selection (9th round, 285th player overall) was the recipient of the Bob Bauman “Physical Comeback Award” from the St. Louis Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America at their January 2018 awards dinner.
Wong is batting .216 with 7 home runs and 24 RBI in 91 games this season and ranks among National League leaders with his 13 hit by pitches.
With his start tonight, Poncedeleon, who wears uniform no. 62, will become the fifth player to make his Major League debut for the Cardinals this season, joining Jordan Hicks, Yairo Muñoz, Tyler O’Neill and Austin Gomber.
Brian Walton’s take
Poncedeleon’s move was expected, but Wong’s was not. The club is saying the 10-day minimum should be enough for the second baseman’s recovery. The clock is ticking.
Wong has been placed on the DL with left knee inflammation, but Shildt doesn't expect him to miss much time: "The 10 days is going to be about the appropriate amount of time for him." #STLCards pic.twitter.com/Cvk67xMZxS
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) July 23, 2018
It is not as if the Cardinals needed another infield defender as a replacement, though one could certainly argue a pinch-hitter would be welcome. Options at second base in the interim include Muñoz, Matt Carpenter, Jedd Gyorko and Monday’s starter, Greg Garcia.
As a result of these moves, the club is temporarily carrying four bench players and nine relievers, though one bullpenner should go down when Austin Gomber is recalled from Memphis for his Tuesday start – unless there is another injury surprise.
Memphis needed to make room for the temporary return of Luke Weaver, so is still at 25 players with the loss of Poncedeleon.
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Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com. Follow Brian on Twitter.
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