The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to tonight’s game that they have purchased the contract of rookie right-handed pitcher Alex Reyes from Memphis (AAA) and placed right-handed pitcher Michael Wacha (right shoulder inflammation) on the 15-day disabled list. To make room for Reyes on the team’s 40-man Major League roster, the team transferred catcher Brayan Pena (left knee inflammation) from the 15-day D.L. to the 60-day D.L.
Reyes, 21, cited by many as one of the top prospects in baseball, will be making his Major League debut after having compiled 69 professional starts since signing as a non-drafted free-agent by the Cardinals on February 3, 2012.
The 6-3, 175-pound Reyes, who was signed out of Elizabeth (N.J.) High School, is of Dominican descent and last month started for the World Team at the MLB Futures Game in San Diego during All-Star Week. Reyes fanned four batters in his 1.2 innings of work in the Futures Game.
Since beginning his 2016 campaign on May 22, Reyes has posted a 2-3 mark with a 4.96 ERA in 14 starts (65.1 IP) for Memphis, striking out 93.
Reyes, who shared Cardinals Minor League co-Pitcher of the Year honors in 2015, was also named to the Rising Stars team after participating in the prospect-rich Arizona Fall League last year.
Reyes is 20-21 with a 3.50 ERA in 69 career minor league starts, fanning 449 in 334.1 innings pitched. He has been assigned uniform no. 61.
Wacha, who made his 23rd start last night, is 7-7 with a 4.45 ERA this season in 131.1 innings pitched.
