The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to tonight’s game, that they have purchased rookie infielder Tommy Edman from Memphis (AAA) and placed infielder Jedd Gyorko (lower back strain) on the 10-day Injured List. The team also announced that Springfield (AA) right-handed pitcher Merandy Gonzalez has been designated for assignment, making room for Edman on the team’s 40-man roster.
Edman, 24, had a team-leading .305 (60-for-197) batting mark in 49 games at Memphis to go along with 7 HR’s and 29 RBI. The 5-10, 185-pound San Diego, Calif. native was batting .366 (15-for-32) with runners in scoring position, collecting 21 of his 29 RBI in those at-bats. Edman, a switch-hitter, has a .349 (15-for-43) batting mark vs. left-handed pitchers and a .292 (45-for-145) average and 5 HR’s against righties in 2019.
A sixth round draft selection (196th player overall) by the Cardinals in 2016 out of Stanford University, Edman has been nearly flawless in the field this season (one error) while playing four different positions, including second base (25 games), shortstop (10), third base (9) and center field (2).
Edman is a perfect 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts this season after leading all Cardinals minor leaguers last season with his 30 stolen bases between Springfield (27) and Memphis (3). He has been successful in 71 of 84 stolen base attempts (85 pct.) during his minor league career.
Gyorko, who made the start at third base for the Cardinals yesterday, appearing in his 38th game, is leading the team with his 21 pinch-hit at-bats. The 23-year-old Gonzalez, acquired March 28 via waivers from the San Francisco Giants, was 2-2 with four saves in 23 games between Springfield (AA) and Palm Beach (A).
Edman has been assigned uniform no. 19 and will be making his Major League debut with his first game appearance. He will become the fifth Cardinal to debut in 2019, joining Lane Thomas, Ryan Helsley, Génesis Cabrera and Andrew Knizner.
