The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Josh Lucas from triple-A Memphis and optioned right-handed pitcher Mike Mayers (pronounced MY-ers) to Memphis following Friday night’s game.
Lucas, 26, the Cardinals 21st round draft pick out of Lakeland (Fla.) High School in the 2010 draft, will be making his Major League debut when he appears in his first game with St. Louis.
The 6-5, 205-pound reliever has posted an 8-1 record with a 3.34 ERA over 43 appearances, converting 14-of-17 saves. He ranks T-4th in the Pacific Coast League in saves (14), T-6th in wins (8) and T-11th in appearances (43), while striking out 65 batters in 56.1 innings.
The Redbirds’ most recent closer, Lucas has had 16 appearances of four outs or more with 11 of 2.0 innings. He’s stranded 13-of-15 inherited runners, induced five double plays and has only issued nine walks. He received an invitation to Major League Spring Training in 2017 and allowed just two hits to 17 total batters faced in five appearances.
Mayers, 26, was recalled on Friday before his option to Memphis following the game.
Lucas will wear uniform No. 77.
