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Perez receives surprise callup from Memphis

CINCINNATI -- As expected, the Cardinals added right-handers Michael Wacha, Tuesday's starter, and Carlos Martinez to the roster, along with left-hander Tyler Lyons. All three were recalled from Double-A Springfield before Tuesday's game.

Besides Ryan Jackson, St. Louis also recalled first baseman-outfielder Brock Peterson from Triple-A Memphis, but the Cardinals also unexpectedly purchased the contract of catcher Audry Perez from Memphis. Perez's first appearance will be his Major League debut.

Perez learned of the move Monday, he said through interpreter Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.

"I was really surprised," he said after arriving at the ballpark about 3:15 p.m. CT. "I wasn't expecting it. This is a great day."

The annual September roster expansion allows teams to add players such as Perez for emergency situations similar to what almost cropped up Monday when catcher Yadier Molina left the game in the fifth inning with soreness in his left wrist. With backup catcher Tony Cruz just coming off the disabled list Monday, manager Mike Matheny knew another catcher couldn't hurt.

"If something comes up that doesn't smell right, we wanted to make sure we were covered," Matheny said.

Molina was back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game.

Martinez, optioned to Springfield on Aug. 28, had a pleasant surprise waiting for him. The Cardinals had kept the game ball from his first Major League game, against the Reds on Aug. 26, and presented it to him upon arrival. He told Sanchez that he would be sending it to his parents in the Dominican Republic.

Mark Schmetzer is a contributor to MLB.com.
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