Cardinals purchase RHP Carlos Martinez from Springfield

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Carlos Martinez from Springfield (AA) and optioned pitcher Mitchell Boggs to Memphis (AAA).   Martinez, 21, will be making his Major League debut with his first appearance.

The team has transferred shortstop Rafael Furcal from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Martinez on its 40-man Major League roster.

The Cardinals also announced today that first baseman Matt Adams (right oblique) will begin an injury rehabilitation assignment with Springfield tonight.

Martinez was 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA in three starts for the Springfield club, striking out nine batters in 11.2 innings pitched. He was most-recently cited by Baseball America as the third-best prospect in the Cardinals organization and noted for having the organization's best curveball for a second-straight season in the publication's "Best Tools" survey.

Martinez, a native of Colinas Del Sur, Dominican Republic, was signed by the Cardinals as a non-drafted free agent in April of 2010. 

He has posted a career mark of 16-12 in the minors with a 2.74 ERA in 55 games (54 starts). The 6-0, 185-pound right-hander was a combined 6-5 between Palm Beach (A) and Springfield (AA) last season and ranked third amongst Cardinals minor league pitchers in ERA (2.93) and opponent's batting average (.236)

Martinez will join the Cardinals for tonight's game in Milwaukee and will wear uniform # 62.