The St. Louis Cardinals have recalled three players from Memphis (AAA) to join the team today in Pittsburgh. Outfielder Jose Martinez and right-handed pitchers Mike Mayers and Sam Tuivailala will be in uniform tonight for the 6:05 p.m. CDT game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. When Martinez makes his Major League debut, he will become the 11th Cardinal to have made his M.L. debut this season.
Martinez, 28, was acquired from Kansas City earlier this year (May 25) via trade and has batted a combined .278 in 124 games between triple-A Omaha (KC) and Memphis (STL). While playing first base, and both left and right field, the right-handed hitting Martinez has hit 18 doubles, eight home runs, and driven in 42 runs while at Memphis. The Venezuela native was originally signed by the Chicago White Sox as a 17-year old in 2006, and in 887 minor league career games has a .294 batting average. Martinez, who stands 6’ 6” and weighs 215 pounds, will wear uniform number 58.
Mayers will be appearing with St. Louis for the second time this season. The right-handed pitcher made his Major League debut in a start vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 24, at Busch Stadium. Mayers, who has spent time with both Springfield (AA) and Memphis this season, has made 25 starts and holds a 9-10 record with 3.19 ERA (51 ER/ 144.0 IP). Mayers, 24, was the Cardinals 3rd round draft pick (93rd overall) in 2013 out of the University of Mississippi. He has made 71 starts (73 games) in his four-year minor league career and has 314 strikeouts in 388.0 innings pitched. Mayers wears uniform number 59.
Tuivailala is joining St. Louis for the third time this season. The 23-year-old right hander has appeared in eight games with St. Louis this season, striking out seven in 6.0 IP. At triple-A Memphis, “Tui” earned 17 saves and posted a 3-2 record in 42 games (46.2 IP). Tuivailala walked just 22 batters vs. his 72 strikeouts this season for Memphis. Tuivailala wears uniform number 64.
