ST. LOUIS -- Infielder Edmundo Sosa joined the Cardinals on Monday, one day before he was scheduled to travel to St. Louis from Des Moines, Iowa, where Triple-A Memphis is finishing its season.

But with the Cardinals playing five games in three days, the club wanted to ensure that there would be enough bench players available. Outfielder Randy Arozarena will join the Cardinals on Tuesday and round out the team’s September callups.

“We’ve played a lot of games,” Cards manager Mike Shildt said. “If we have a chance to give a guy a blow, we’d give it, just for coverage. [Memphis] did a heck of a job making a push at it, but just getting him here and giving him an opportunity if it presents itself.”

Memphis won 21 games in August, but needed a four-game sweep of the Iowa Cubs last weekend to be division champions after being 17 games back from first place in mid-July. The club was eliminated after losing on Friday and Sunday.

Sosa was a big reason why Memphis was able to make a push in August. Following his return from a three-game stint with the big league club on July 20, the shortstop has a slash line of .375/.401/.556 in his past 35 games, including seven homers, 28 RBIs and 16 multi-hit games in that span. His average was the highest in the Pacific Coast League over that stretch as well.

Wieters in boot, but optimistic about return

Catcher Matt Wieters was sporting a boot on his left leg Monday after getting an anti-inflammatory shot to help the calf strain that he suffered running the bases Saturday. There isn’t a timeline for when Wieters could be playing again, but the Cardinals are optimistic.

“He got a shot, so just stabilizing it,” Shildt said, “He’s in a very optimistic place relative to what he’s dealing with.”

Wacha to start Wednesday

Michael Wacha will get the nod for Wednesday’s game against the Giants on short rest after pitching seven innings in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Reds.

Shildt said that Wacha will be on a “prescribed short leash,” because of the three days’ rest in between outings, and the Cardinals will be ready to use their bullpen. Wacha will have six days’ rest after Wednesday, with the Cardinals’ off-day on Sept. 9.

“I don’t want to limit Michael]. He could throw seven innings on 50 pitches -- and I’m not saying that 50 pitches is the limit, I’m just using an example -- but he feels good,” Shildt said. “I’ve talked with him about it. He’s got his head around it. He’s in a good spot. We won’t push him, but we’ll get some innings out of him, and I’m sure they’ll be quality.”

Wacha allowed two runs on three hits in seven innings Saturday and struck out seven while walking two. It was one of his best starts in a season of inconsistency for Wacha, who is 6-6 with a 5.07 ERA.

Worth noting

• Rookie affiliate Johnson City advanced to the best-of-three Appalachian League Championship series for the first time since winning the championship in 2016. The club will play Monday night against the Burlington Royals in Johnson City.