Cardinals recall Curtis to bolster infield depth
ST. LOUIS -- Infielder Jermaine Curtis has looked at the big picture and knows his second big league stint won't be an extended stay. With Yadier Molina and Shane Robinson expected to come off the disabled list Thursday, another roster move is pending.
"I have common sense," Curtis said.
But in the meantime, the 26-year-old is happy to be back in St. Louis and excited to do what he can to help the club.
"It's always a great feeling to come to baseball heaven," Curtis said. "I'll be here for a few days, enjoy it, play hard and see what happens."
The Cardinals added Curtis to the 25-man roster, expanding the bench to five players in advance of their key series against the Pirates. Right-hander Michael Blazek was optioned to Triple-A Memphis to make room for Curtis and, with Michael Wacha transitioning into a relief role, the Cards had the flexibility to unplug someone from the 'pen.
Curtis, who went 0-for-2 during a brief big league callup earlier this season, gives the Cards another right-handed bat off the bench. He was hitting .259 with four homers and 42 RBIs in Memphis. Curtis has played second and third base this season.
"I would like to be better numbers-wise, but I've learned a lot in Triple-A," Curtis said. "Triple-A is a lot of veterans, and they know how to play the game. They're not just throwing fastballs down the middle. I'm learning the game more -- to sit on offspeed pitches and look for this on this count -- and I think it's going to help me in my career."
Curtis found out about the callup Monday and, after a three-hour delay in Dallas, arrived at Busch Stadium around 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday.
Memphis third baseman Ryan Jackson was another candidate for the fifth bench spot, but he currently has the flu and is batting just .207 with no extra-base hits in his last 10 games.
In Curtis' first stint with the Cardinals back in late April and early May, he made three plate appearances with one walk and one strikeout and is still looking for his first Major League hit.