photo: Carson Kelly (David Banks/USA TODAY Sports Images)
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Friday, August 31) their initial September call-ups, with catcher Carson Kelly and pitchers Daniel Poncedeleon and Tyler Webb set to be recalled from Memphis (AAA) prior to tomorrow night’s game. All three players are in town today and are on the Taxi Squad for this evening’s game.
Kelly, who appeared in 12 games with the Cardinals earlier this season, batted .269 with 7 HR’s and 41 RBI in 83 games for Memphis this season, and compiled a .378 on-base pct. Kelly, 24, has appeared in 56 career games in the majors (.150 BA with 9 RBI) since making his Major League debut in September of 2016.
Poncedeleon, who is scheduled to start tomorrow night’s game against Cincinnati, has appeared in seven games (two starts) for the Cardinals (0-0, 2.08 ERA, 1 save) this season, limiting the opposition to a .176 batting mark. The 26-year-old rookie was 9-4 with a 2.24 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) for Memphis this season.
Webb, acquired by the Cardinals on a waiver claim in June, is unscored upon in six relief appearances (7.2 IP) with St. Louis. The 28-year-old left-hander was 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA in 30 appearances (41.2 IP) with Memphis, striking out 49.
Kelly wears uniform no. 19, Poncedeleon no. 62 and Webb no. 30.
Brian Walton’s take
Just in case the rules are not clear to all, when September 1 arrives, Major League clubs can augment their active 25-man roster with any player currently on the expanded 40-man roster. All three additions were already on the 40-man, so did not need to be added now. So, in essence, this will increase St. Louis’ available players from 25 to 28.
As expected, the Cardinals will attempt to limit further minor league call-ups until Memphis completes the Pacific Coast League playoffs. Of course, any further injuries with St. Louis would change those plans.
A third catcher in September is a given and Kelly is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster. Kelly has been cold at the plate as of late, having batted just .195 in August, with three extra-base hits. He isn’t likely to see much action behind ironman Yadier Molina this month, anyway.
With Webb gone, Memphis has two lefties remaining, but Tyler Lyons has been starting with Tommy Layne working out of the pen. With St. Louis, Webb joins Chasen Shreve and Brett Cecil as lefty relievers, with Austin Gomber currently in the rotation.
Poncedeleon only made one start this time down with Memphis, as their starting five is currently Jake Woodford, Austin Warner, Kevin Herget, Chris Ellis and Lyons. That list is temporarily augmented by rehabbers Adam Wainwright and potentially, Michael Wacha.
Expected additions to St. Louis in the upcoming days from the disabled list include Marcell Ozuna, Wainwright and perhaps Wacha. Also on the way soon should be infielders Kolten Wong and Jedd Gyorko plus reliever Mike Mayers, all three of whom are on the 10-day DL.
Ozuna should be activated Saturday, but may be initially limited. Wainwright is starting Saturday for Memphis as he continues to build up his pitch count. Because he is on the 60-day DL, which is exempted from the 40-man total, a 40-man roster move will be required for Wainwright’s St. Louis activation.
Wacha is starting to throw again after experiencing a setback in his rehab but is running out of minor league games to throw in. He is likely hoping Memphis is not quickly eliminated. Another playoff possibility is high-A Palm Beach, where his last rehab stint began.
It is not yet known if Wong, Gyorko and Mayers will play in any rehab games before returning.
After all of Friday’s moves (also see below), Memphis is temporarily down to 22 active players.
Knizner promoted
Also as expected, the Cardinals returned catcher Andrew Knizner to Memphis from Springfield to backfill for Kelly. The 23-year old batted .291 for the Double-A Cards this month, but had just two extra-base hits.
Knizner was previously with Memphis from May 17 to June 9, batting .333 in his initial 14 games at the Triple-A level. The Double-A Cards have been eliminated from post-season consideration, so their season concludes on Monday.
Memphis reserve catcher Steven Baron is batting just .225 this season and with the Redbirds offense having lost so many of its big bats (Voit, Wisdom, Garcia, Mercado, O’Neill, Kelly, etc.), Knizner’s offense should be a welcome addition for the Pacific Coast League playoffs.
Arozarena out
Also on Friday, Memphis placed Randy Arozarena on the Temporarily Inactive List, meaning the outfielder will sit out for at least the weekend.
The TI list is used for an excused leave of absence of at least three days duration. The reason can arise from one of a number of personal situations including paternity, bereavement or a family medical emergency.
The specific reason for the absence is not usually shared with the public, nor should it be, in my opinion, unless the player chooses to disclose it himself.
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(So far, I am five-for five in my earlier call-up predictions, as Patrick Wisdom and Adolis Garcia were early injury additions.)
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Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com. Follow Brian on Twitter.
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