The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to tonight’s game that they have activated right-handed pitcher Daniel Ponce de Leon (right shoulder inflammation) and first baseman/outfielder John Nogowski (left hand bone bruise) from the 10-day Injured List. The team also announced that outfielder Tyler O’Neill (left middle finger fracture) has been placed on the 10-day Injured List, retroactive to May 17, and that right-handed pitcher Junior Fernandez was optioned to Memphis (AAA).
Ponce de Leon (1-1, 8.71) has made five appearances with the Cardinals this season, including two starts. He made a pair of starts for Memphis during an injury rehabilitation stint, totaling 3.0 scoreless innings. Ponce de Leon missed 14 games while on the Injured List since April 29.
Nogowski, who began the season on the Cardinals Opening Day roster, missed 24 games after going on the Injured List on April 20. The right-handed hitting Nogowski appeared in eight games with Memphis during his injury rehabilitation, and batted .250 (7-for-28) with a .344 on-base pct. and 4 RBI.
O’Neill, injured in Sunday night’s game at San Diego, is appearing on the Injured List for the second time this season. O’Neill was also sidelined April 11-22 with a right groin strain. The slugging outfielder is batting .250 (25-for-100) this season with 8 HR’s and 18 RBI in 30 games. Three of O’Neill’s 8 HR’s had come in his last six games.
Fernandez, who joined the active roster this past weekend, appeared in relief on Saturday, working one inning.
