Cards shuffle roster, recall rookies Garcia & Grichuk
Greg Garcia & Randal Grichuk recalled from Memphis (AAA)
ST. LOUIS, Mo., April 28, 2014 - The St. Louis Cardinals announced several roster moves today in advance of their series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, recalling rookies Greg Garcia and Randal Grichuk (pronounced GRICH-ick) from Memphis (AAA). The team also announced that they had optioned outfielder Shane Robinson and infielder Kolten Wong to Memphis following yesterday's game in order to make room on the team's 25-man active roster.
Garcia (24 years) and Grichuk (22) have both enjoyed strong starts at Memphis, ranking among Pacific Coast League batting leaders in a number of categories, including home runs and RBI.
Garcia, a 7th round draft selection (229th player overall) by the Cardinals in 2010 out of the University of Hawaii, was batting .267 (23-for-86) with a team-high five home runs, three triples and 46 total bases in 21 games while serving as the Redbirds primary second baseman. The left-handed hitting Garcia, who also plays shortstop, had 14 runs scored and 14 RBI. He had an 11-game hit streak that was halted just yesterday at Round Rock.
The right-handed hitting Grichuk, a native of Rosenberg, Texas, was acquired this past off-season in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels. The 6-1, 195-pound Grichuk, who was the Angels 1st round draft selection (24th player overall) in 2009 ahead of Mike Trout, compiled a .310 (27-for-87) batting mark at Memphis to go along with his team-leading 17 RBI and 16 runs scored. With runners in scoring position, he was hitting a robust .421 (13-for-19) with 13 RBI.
A recipient in 2013 of a minor league Gold Glove award for his defensive excellence, Grichuk has played primarily center field for Memphis this season.
Both Garcia and Grichuk will be making their Major League debuts with their first game appearances. Garcia will wear uniform #12 and Grichuk #15.