The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to tonight’s game, that they have purchased the contract of rookie first baseman/outfielder Rangel Ravelo from Memphis (AAA) and placed infielder Yairo Muñoz on the Paternity List.  To make room for Ravelo on the team’s 40-man Major League roster, the Cardinals transferred right-handed pitcher Mike Mayers (right shoulder lat strain) from the 10-day Injured List to the 60-day Injured List.
Ravelo, a 27-year-old rookie, has appeared in 838 career games in the minors, including stints with the Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics organizations.  The Havana, Cuba native, who pronounces his name RAHN-hel, was signed by the Cardinals as a minor league free-agent in April of 2017.
The right-handed hitting Ravelo was batting .333 (73-for-219) with 9 HR’s and 42 RBI in 63 games for Memphis, ranking 8th in the Pacific Coast League in batting, 12th in on-base pct. (.414) and 7th in hits (73).  Ravelo, who is batting .489 (22-for-45) in 12 June games, had a 19-game hit streak earlier this season (May 2-24) that was one-game shy of the Memphis franchise record.
The 6-1, 225-pound Ravelo has played 26 games in left field and 20 at first base this season, making just one error in 422 total chances (.998 fielding pct.) at the initial sack.
Munoz, 24, is batting .286 (18-for-63) in 36 games played this year – his 2nd season in the majors.
Ravelo, who has been assigned uniform no. 47, will become the sixth Cardinal to make his Major League debut this season with his first game appearance.
