Former Sharyland pitcher Garcia sent down by Cardinals
ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Cardinals optioned rookie left-hander Jaime Garcia, 1-1 with a 5.63 ERA in 10 appearances, to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday and added a power bat to their bench, purchasing Josh Phelps' contract.
The 22-year-old former Sharyland pitcher allowed three runs in one inning in Tuesday's 12-0 loss to the Brewers, and will return to the rotation for the end of the minor league season. He started one game for the Cardinals, allowing three runs in five innings against the Padres on July 20.
"He needs to go back and pitch some," manager Tony La Russa said. "He came here on an emergency basis to help us and he did. But he's a starting pitcher, he's not really a left-handed reliever."
Teams can expand rosters on Monday and Phelps figured to be on that list. La Russa hinted that Garcia, who began the season at Double-A Springfield and has made 19 starts at three levels, may not be among the callups due to a heavy workload.
"He's a young guy and he's had a full year," the manager said. "There's probably nothing wrong with him not pitching a whole lot more, either."
The move left the Cardinals with a 12-man pitching staff, and with Ron Villone the lone left-hander. La Russa said the need for two left-handers isn't pressing the next few series.
The 30-year-old Phelps was batting .291 with 31 home runs and 97 RBIs in the Pacific Coast League.
He had 64 extra-base hits, tied for second in the league, but had been stuck in the minors because his best position is first base where the Cardinals have Albert Pujols.
"It's a welcome surprise, I'll tell you that," Phelps said. "I get to put on a major league uniform again. I had to earn it, it wasn't given to me, and that's usually the best way."
The Cardinals are likely to use Phelps, a right-handed hitter, primarily as a pinch hitter, although he could be used at the corner outfield spots and third base as well as first base. Phelps starting on opening day last year for the New York Yankees and batted .306 with seven homers and 31 RBIs in 94 games in 2007 for New York and Pittsburgh.
