Gonzales placed on Triple-A DL with left shoulder tightness

ST. LOUIS -- Left-hander Marco Gonzales will miss his next start due to tightness in left shoulder, general manager John Mozeliak said on Wednesday. As a result, Gonzales has been placed on the seven-day Triple-A disabled list.

Mozeliak described the move as "precautionary," and added that Gonzales felt the discomfort while playing catch, not during his most recent start on Monday. Gonzales, who was competing for a place in the Major League rotation a month ago, threw 91 pitches over six innings in that outing and allowed two earned runs and six hits. He is ranked by MLB.com as the organization's best pitching prospect.

In three Triple-A starts, Gonzales has given up 20 hits and eight earned runs in 16 innings while walking three and striking out 13. Gonzales opened the season positioned as the next-guy-up option should the Cardinals have a need in the big league rotation.

"He's a guy who we know can be here," manager Mike Matheny said. "He did that for us last year in a different role. We just like how he goes about his business. It's a very mature approach to pitching, and the way that he's been able to learn and grow and alter his pitch selection and how he approaches hitters from both sides of the plate is just a testament to the type of pitcher he can be."

The organization is hopeful that Gonzales only misses only one turn through the rotation before returning to the mound.

Worth noting

• A day after designating Gary Brown for assignment, the Cardinals lost the outfielder on waivers to the Angels. Brown's stay in the organization lasted 19 days.

• Outfielder Randal Grichuk (lower back strain) remained in St. Louis this week to continue treatment for the injury. Matheny said "he's moving pretty good," but that the organization has not begun to discuss the possibility of sending Grichuk out on a rehab assignment soon. He is eligible to come off the disabled list beginning on May 2.

• Infielder Greg Garcia delivered a bases-loaded triple to help Triple-A Memphis to a 7-2 win on Wednesday. Garcia finished with a two-hit game. Starter Tim Cooney struck out eight over five innings to earn his second victory of the year.

• The Cardinals announced registration details for the 11th annual St. Louis Cardinals Kids Clinics, which offer children ages 7-13 the chance to learn baseball fundamentals from former Cardinals players and coaches. For more details on the initiative, visit cardinals.com/clinics.