PITTSBURGH -- The Cardinals will reinforce their active roster by adding three more players -- right-handers Mike Mayers and Sam Tuivailala and outfielder José Martínez -- ahead of Tuesday's game against the Pirates at PNC Park. The trio of promotions will wrap up the Cardinals' September callup plans.
Mayers and Tuivailala have been up with St. Louis already this year. Mayers' previous stay lasted one day, and it wasn't a memorable one. He was blasted for nine runs in a 1 1/3-inning spot start against the Dodgers on July 24. The Cardinals wanted to give Mayers the opportunity for a better second impression before his season ended.
"Just give him a chance to hit the reset button," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said.
Mayers, who would be an option in long relief, fared much better in the Minors. He made a combined 25 starts with the Double-A and Triple-A teams, finishing 9-10 with a 3.19 ERA.
Tuivailala was just sent back to Triple-A Memphis on Aug. 25 after an ineffective nine-day stint in the big leagues. In eight appearances with the Cardinals this year, Tuivailala has given up six runs on 11 hits in six innings. He saved 18 games with Triple-A Memphis.
Martinez has spent 10 seasons in the Minors since signing out of Venezuela. The Cardinals acquired him from the Royals in late May, and Martinez has hit .269/.326/.415 with Memphis. Though this will be Martinez's first time on a big league roster, Mozeliak noted that he considered the versatile outfielder for a promotion multiple times earlier this season.
"Just a bat off the bench, gives us a little more depth," Mozeliak said. "With where we are, you never know when someone might need a little more rest. I feel like we're covered, but it's always good to have a few extra bodies in an environment where everyone else does."
Worth noting
• First baseman Luke Voit and right-hander Jorge Rodriguez have been selected as the organization's Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for August. Voit, who was also named the Texas League Player of the Month, hit .366/.440/.591 with four homers and 20 RBIs for Double-A Springfield last month. Rodriguez posted a 0.65 ERA in six games (five starts) for Class A Peoria. He struck out 27 in 27 2/3 innings.
• Memphis wrapped up its season with a 7-7 win on Monday to finish with a record of 65-77. The Redbirds scored four eighth-inning runs to nab the come-from-behind victory. Jeremy Hefner threw 5 2/3 innings in his final start, while Anthony García and Matt Williams each posted three-hit games.
• Though Brayan Peña has been activated from the disabled list, the Cardinals are not yet comfortable having him catch a full game. He's available as a pinch-hitter and could catch for a few innings, if needed.