PITTSBURGH -- The Cardinals recalled Jose Martinez from Triple-A Memphis before Friday's 5-2 loss to the Pirates and placed outfielder Randal Grichuk on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday, with a lower back strain.
Martinez is hitting .280 with five home runs and 17 RBIs in 51 games for the Cardinals this season. He entered Friday's game in the ninth as a defensive replacement for right fielder Stephen Piscotty, who exited with a right groin strain.
Grichuk is batting .215 (48-for-223) with nine home runs and 30 RBIs in 61 games over two stints with St. Louis this season. He was hitting .196 (11-for-56) with five home runs, two doubles and 11 RBIs in 15 games since last returning to the Cardinals on June 25.
Cards manager Mike Matheny, though, isn't sure what caused Grichuk's recent injury.
"I should know the answer to that, but I don't," Matheny said. "I just got the information yesterday."