Cardinals put Ellis on DL, Recall Garcia from Triple-A Memphis
Tuesday the St. Louis Cardinals placed second baseman Mark Ellis on the disabled list with an oblique strain. This injury tends to sideline players for more than the minimum 15-day stay on the disabled list.
"“It was out he was out here working yesterday. There wasn’t anything building up it just happened all of a sudden,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “I think it was when he was getting some work in throwing or fielding a throw.”"
The 37-year old infielder hasn’t played much of late anyway. Since the emergence of rookie Kolten Wong at second base, Ellis has started just four game since July 6. The veteran hasn’t even played in a game since the Cardinals faced the San Diego Padres last Thursday.
He has played in 65 games this season hitting just .192. Ellis signed a one year deal with the Cardinals over the off season for $5.25 million.
The Cardinals re-called 25-year-old infielder Greg Garcia from Triple-A Memphis prior to Tuesday night’s game. Garcia was batting .275 for Memphis with eight home runs and 40 RBI in 103 games. The lefty batter has been on fire in so far during the month of August hitting .367.
Garcia made appearances in seven games for the Cardinals earlier in the season. He went 2-10 with one RBI. He got the RBI by being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in a 12-inning games against the Chicago Cubs in mid-May.
Even though Memphis is making a run at the Pacific Coast League playoffs and being up with the Cardinals will likely lead to reduced playing time for Garcia, Garcia was happy to be called back up to the show and is ready to embrace whatever role he ends up playing for the big league club.
"“Right now at my position in my career, I’m probably coming off the bench as a utility type of role. It’s about embracing that type of role but not accepting it,” he said. “I think we all want to be starters at some point in our careers. It’s about getting your foot in the door. Right now I know what my role is and I want to do the best I can for this team to help them win.”"