Cards recall Martinez & Freeman from Memphis
Martinez tabbed to make his 1st Major League start tonight
The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have recalled right-handed pitcher Carlos Martinez and left-handed pitcher Sam Freeman from Memphis (AAA) and that Martinez is slated to make his first Major League start tonight in the team's series finale against Los Angeles. The Cardinals optioned right-handed pitcher Keith Butler and first baseman/outfielder Brock Peterson to Memphis following last night's game.
Martinez, 21, is joining the big league club for the third time this season. For St. Louis, he has had no decisions in 10 games, all in relief, while striking out 11 in 11.1 innings pitched. As a member of the Memphis starting rotation, Martinez was 4-2 with a 1.76 ERA in 10 starts. He has struck out 45 batters in 51.0 innings pitched while holding the opposition to a .214 batting mark and just one home run.
Martinez, who was named the Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Month for June, will become the fifth Cardinals rookie pitcher to make a start this season, joining Shelby Miller, Tyler Lyons, Michael Wacha and John Gast.
Freeman, 26, has gone 7-2 with a 2.95 ERA and two saves in 44 games pitched at Memphis. The lefty reliever has fanned 61 batters in 64.0 innings while limiting the opposition to a .225 batting average. Freeman made 24 relief appearances as a rookie for the Cardinals last season, going 0-2, 5.40 ERA in 20.0 innings pitched. He was on the team's active roster for the National League Wild Card game last season, but did not appear.
Martinez wears uniform # 62 and Freeman #71.