CHICAGO -- After labeling pitcher Michael Wacha as a “heavy pencil” for Monday’s start in Miami, the Cardinals’ roster move Sunday officially set the plan in motion for Wacha’s return.

Right-hander Daniel Ponce de Leon was recalled from Triple-A Memphis and will be available immediately out of the bullpen, while right-handed reliever Ryan Helsley was optioned. Manager Mike Shildt cited “freshness” as the reason for optioning Helsley, who pitched one inning in each of the past two games after being called up Tuesday.

The Cardinals wanted to hold off Wacha’s usage as a long reliever in Chicago this weekend as he prepared for his start. He could have been used Saturday, in the Cards’ 9-4 loss, after Jack Flaherty exited after 3 2/3 innings.

Instead, Shildt looked to five other relievers to get through the rest of the game. With the score tied in the fourth inning, Shildt looked to John Brebbia and John Gant, who both allowed two runs as the Cubs took a four-run lead. Then Andrew Miller, usually used in high-leverage situations, came in. He walked Anthony Rizzo and struck out the next two to get out of the inning.

Now, if the Cardinals need a long reliever Sunday, they can turn to Ponce de Leon. Shildt said Wacha will still be in the bullpen but will be used only if necessary.

“Daniel will be in our bullpen for longer,” Shildt said. “We have some guys that will be down today, so we’ll see what that looks like. He’s got the ability -- he can pitch well in relief. He’s pitched well here in relief. We’re looking at some length, to be able to consume innings if necessary.”

It is Ponce de Leon’s second callup to the big leagues this season. The right-hander -- ranked as St. Louis' No. 15 prospect by MLB Pipeline -- made a spot start for the Cardinals on April 23 when Wacha went on the injured list. In the Cards’ 4-3 victory, Ponce de Leon held the Brewers to one run over five innings, and he made the impression that he was ready to contribute with the club.

Ponce de Leon has also pitched well in relief for the Cardinals. Last season, he made seven appearances in relief, pitching 13 2/3 innings and allowing four runs.

Ponce de Leon is 4-4 and has a 3.90 ERA in 11 starts (55 1/3 innings) this season with Memphis. He made an abbreviated start for the Redbirds on Thursday night -- three scoreless innings -- to be prepared in case the Cards needed him.

Molina progressing well
Catcher Yadier Molina (right thumb tendon strain) will join the team in Miami on Monday and take batting practice, Shildt said Sunday. There is not a specific date set for Molina to rejoin the active roster.

Molina could have been activated from the 10-day injured list Saturday, but he stayed in St. Louis over the weekend for treatment on the thumb, which he injured after taking a foul ball to the hand late last month and trying to play through it the next few games.

The problem came with swinging a bat, not throwing or catching. Molina took batting practice Sunday and showed signs of improvement.

“He’s throwing, getting his work in,” Shildt said. “As [president of baseball operations John Mozeliak] would say, ‘He’s trending in the right direction.’”

Two draftees sign
In the first wave of Draft signings, the Cardinals announced they have agreed to terms with two right-handed pitchers: Jake Sommers (Round 10) and Will Guay (Round 24).

Sommers, a closer from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, was the Cardinals’ final pick on the second day of the Draft -- a day that saw the Cardinals stock up on college arms, including Sommers. This year, he had a 3.60 ERA in 30 innings. He notched 10 saves while whiffing 37, walking 16 and giving up just one home run.

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Guay, a starter from Concord University, went 6-4 this year with a 3.07 ERA. He set a single-season school record with 82 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings. The West Palm Beach, Fla., native was Concord's first first-team all-conference pitcher since 2010.

More news of signings will come over the next couple of days, as the draftees make their way to the Cardinals’ facility in Florida for physicals. The deadline to sign draftees is July 12 at 4 p.m. CT.