photo: Junior Fernandez (Frank Ramirez/The Cardinal Nation)
On Saturday, the St. Louis Cardinals recalled relief pitcher Junior Fernández from Triple-A Memphis and optioned Johan Oviedo to the Redbirds. It will be Fernandez’ first stint with St. Louis in 2021 after appearing for St. Louis in 16 games across 2019 and 2020.
With Memphis to date in 2021, Fernandez has thrown 3 1/3 innings over three outings. He yielded two runs on two hits and a walk. The 24-year-old fanned seven.
In four appearances including three starts for St. Louis this season, Oviedo has an 0-2 record with a 5.74 ERA.
This change has rotation implications for St. Louis. Unless another player goes on the injured list in the interim, Oviedo will not have completed his required 15 days in the minor leagues and as such will be unable to start on turn for St. Louis next Friday.
Candidates to replace Oviedo include Miles Mikolas and Carlos Martinez, both currently on the injured list.
Mikolas appears closer, scheduled to make his third rehab outing for Memphis on Sunday. Prior to Saturday’s game, Cardinals manager Mike Shildt says there is a chance if Mikolas feels well on Monday that he could join St. Louis for the first time this season afterward.
Martínez has played catch, throwing up to 200 feet. If weather permits in St. Louis on Sunday, the right-hander will throw off the mound. Martinez last pitched in game action on May 8 after having slipped and injured his ankle in a dugout celebration.
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