photo: Tyler Webb (Jeff Curry/Imagn)
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Sunday, July 21) they have recalled INF Rangel Ravelo (rahn-HEL) and LHP Tyler Webb from Memphis (AAA) and have optioned RHP Ryan Helsley and RHP Dominic Leone to Memphis (AAA) following Saturday night’s game in Cincinnati.
Ravelo, 27, is being recalled for the third time to St. Louis and has appeared in six Major League games, earning his first hit against Miami on June 19. The rookie infielder had played in 838 career minor league games before his contract was originally purchased on June 17.
In 77 games this season at Memphis, Ravelo was batting .313 with nine home runs and 43 RBI, earning him a spot on the Triple-A All-Star team. Ravelo was recently optioned to Memphis and played in six games which he started four at third base after appearing the majority of his games at first base during the 2019 season.
Webb, who turned 29 yesterday, was optioned to Memphis on July 7 and is being recalled for the second time this season. He has made 36 appearances out of the St. Louis bullpen posting an 0-1 record with a 4.45 ERA over 30.1 innings with 26 strikeouts. Webb earned his first Major League save on June 22 vs. Los Angeles (AL) to close out a game in which incumbent closer Jordan Hicks left with an injury. In five minor league appearances this season, Webb posted an 0-1 record and a 2.70 ERA.
Helsley made one appearance last night and threw 2.0 scoreless innings against Cincinnati.
Leone, a Major League veteran of 217 appearances over six seasons, has made eight appearances posting a 4.70 ERA since his most recent recall to St. Louis.
Ravelo wears uniform No. 47 and Webb wears uniform No. 30.
Brian Walton’s take
It does not surprise me that the Cardinals wanted another arm in Webb, who becomes the third lefty in the pen. In his 5 1/3 innings since being sent down during the West Coast road trip, Webb allowed one run on five hits and no walks with three strikeouts with Memphis.
Helsley, The Cardinal Nation’s no. 5 prospect, will be back, but since he threw two innings Saturday night, the Cardinals are going with the more-rested Webb for the time being.
Leone has struggled and may not be back for a while. However, the one redeeming factor for these pitchers are that they are the only 40-man roster arms currently active. In other words, the Cardinals don’t have any more choices to add to the relief shuffle without making roster changes.
Ravelo returns St. Louis’ bench to four players after the Cardinals played Saturday with just three reserve hitters and nine relievers. He is either the second first baseman or the fifth outfielder, depending on where you count him. He will most often pinch hit and be a late game defensive replacement in the outfield.
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