photo: Sam Tuivailala (USA TODAY Sports Images)
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to tonight’s (Friday’s) game that they have activated right-handed pitcher Sam Tuivailala (left knee strain) and left-handed pitcher Ryan Sherriff (right great toe fracture) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber and first baseman Luke Voit to Memphis (AAA).
Tuivailala appeared in four games (4.0 IP) for the Cardinals last month, before going on the disabled list on April 10. He appeared in three games for Memphis during an injury rehabilitation assignment and totaled 4.0 innings pitched, including a 2.0-inning save on May 1 vs. Oklahoma City.
Sherriff worked 2.2 innings in three appearances for the Cardinals in April before going on the D.L. on April 6. He appeared in three games with Memphis during his rehab assignment, totaling 3.0 innings pitched.
Gomber, who yesterday was named the Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April, was recalled on April 29 but had no appearances with the Cardinals. Voit was recalled on May 1, but did not appear in any games for St. Louis.
Brian Walton’s take
“Reliever Roulette” continues as the Cardinals return to an eight-man pen ahead of the weekend Cubs series. However, of the two – Tuivailala and Sherriff – only the latter has minor league options remaining, leaving the Cardinals with less roster flexibility.
As noted above, neither Gomber nor Voit saw any action with St. Louis, with Gomber still waiting to make his official MLB debut. The lefty will return to the Memphis rotation effective Saturday night. Voit played with St. Louis in 2017.
Further roster ramifications
The Triple-A Redbirds already had two open roster spots, and the two rehabbers did not count toward the 25-man active limit. However, Memphis also reactivated reliever Edward Mujica from the temporarily inactive list on Friday. That necessitated the return of outfielder Randy Arozarena to Double-A Springfield. The S-Cards have yet to announce their roster move to make room for Arozarena.
Mujica, 33, has been effective for the Redbirds in his return to the Cardinals organization for 2018. The right-hander has a 0.82 ERA, resulting from just one earned run allowed in 11 innings. St. Louis’ former closer yielded 10 hits, walked just one and fanned 12.
The TI list is an excused leave of absence of at least three days duration, and Mujica was away for the minimum time. The reason can arise from one of a number of personal situations including paternity, bereavement or a family medical emergency.
Arozarena, 23, was a non-roster invitee to big-league camp and performed well. The Cuban native opened the season with Memphis and in his Triple-A debut, did a credible job, with a .260/.368/.329/.697 slash line. Power was the right-handed hitter’s weakness as his only extra-base hits were five doubles in 88 plate appearances over 22 games. He is second in the system with seven steals (in nine attempts).
Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Memphis Redbirds Notebook: 2018 Week 4
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. Annual members may purchase our new 193-page 2018 Prospect Guide for less than half price. Our limited edition printed edition is sold out.
Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com. Follow Brian on Twitter.
© 2018 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.