R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writer
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals recalled right-hander Carlos Martinez from a short stay at Triple-A Memphis and demoted struggling lefty Kevin Siegrist, who starred as a rookie for a NL championship team.
“He feels physically strong but there’s just something that’s a click off,” manager Mike Matheny said of Siegrist. “I think we’ve talked about this before, trying to get somebody right here isn’t always the best answer.”
Matheny said the 22-year-old Martinez will be used in relief. Before Sunday’s game against the Padres, Matheny said Martinez was en route from El Paso, Texas.
The Cardinals have counted heavily on right-handed setup men Pat Neshek and Seth Maness.
“We’re not afraid to throw him in there in a lot of different situations,” Matheny said. “He’s going to have to get some significant outs for us.”
The 25-year-old Siegrist, a former 41st round draft pick, gave up a grand slam to the Padres’ Jedd Gyorko on Saturday and is 1-3 with a 6.11 ERA. He was 3-1 with an 0.45 ERA last year, but has been off-kilter all of 2014 and missed 52 games from May 24 through July 22 with a left forearm strain.
Since his return, there’s been a drop in velocity.
“All season, it’s been a little different than what we saw last year,” Matheny said. “We gave him a long rest trying to get him right.”
“People keep forgetting how many players we have here who’ve never been through struggles,” he said. “He’s never been truly tested and tried at this level. There’s a lot to be learned along the way.”
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