Cardinals expand roster with Gonzales, two other Memphis call-ups
When the the St. Louis Cardinals announced left-hander Marco Gonzales as their Tuesday starter against the Nationals, it was a given that he would be called up from Triple A Memphis on the first day of September major league roster expansion. Less certain were any other moves the team might make.
As it turns out, the Cardinals made three call-ups Tuesday -- Gonzales, right-hander Mitch Harris and catcher Cody Stanley, all from Memphis. And all will be available for tonight's game.
Gonzales, 23, will make his 2015 St. Louis debut and start for the Cardinals against Washington. He has made 17 starts for Memphis and is 1-4 with a 4.42 ERA, missing time this season with a left shoulder injury. Gonzales made five starts and appeared in 10 games for St. Louis last season (4-2, 4.15) and made relief appearances in six games during the Cardinals' 2014 postseason. He pitched three scoreless innings in the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and 2 1/3 scoreless in two games of the NL Championship Series against San Francisco before allowing three runs in Game 4. Gonzales wears uniform No. 56.
This will be Harris' third stint with St. Louis this season, having made his big-league debut April 25 at Milwaukee. The 29-year-old became the first U.S. Naval Academy graduate to pitch in the majors since Nemo Gaines in 1921, and only the second in history. He is 1-1 with a 3.10 ERA in 19 games with St. Louis and has made 25 relief outings at Triple A with four saves and 20 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings. He had 15 scoreless outings, going 0-4 with a 3.38 ERA overall. Harris wears uniform No. 40.
Stanley was with St. Louis for three days in April, making three pinch-hit appearances and picking up his first major league hit on April 26 at Milwaukee. Stanley was recalled when Adam Wainwright was placed on the disabled list, then was optioned when the club purchased pitcher Tim Cooney. He has played in 92 games with Memphis and had a .241 average with 11 doubles, seven home runs and 45 RBIs. He made 54 starts at catcher for the Redbirds and also appeared in left field and as the designated hitter. Stanley wears uniform No. 43.
