(Press Release, Photo Credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The St. Louis Cardinals announced changes to their pitching staff today, recalling left-handed pitcher Sam Freeman and right-handed pitcher Jorge Rondon from Memphis (AAA). The team also announced that left-handed pitcher Tyler Lyons (left shoulder strain) has been placed on the 15-day disabled list and that right-handed reliever Eric Fornataro was optioned to Memphis.
Freeman, 26, who has appeared in 37 combined games (1-2, 4.18 ERA) with the Cardinals over the 2012 and 2013 seasons, was 0-1 with a 3.78 ERA in 13 games (16.2 IP) for Memphis this season. The 6-1, 165-pound lefty has allowed just two earned runs (1.50 ERA) over his last 10 appearances dating to April 12, striking out 16 batters in 12.0 IP.
Rondon, 26, who has spent eight-plus seasons in the minors, will be making his Major League debut with his first game appearance. The Calabozo, Venezuela native is a product of the Cardinals former Venezuelan Summer League team where he began his professional career in 2006 after signing as a non-drafted international free-agent in July of that year.
The 6-1, 215-pound Rondon was 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA in 11 games (14.1 IP) at Memphis this season. He has not allowed an earned run in his past five games (8.0 IP) since April 25.
Freeman will wear uniform no. 71 and Rondon will wear no. 68. Both players as expected to be in uniform for tonight’s game against the Chicago Cubs.
