MARCELL OZUNA TO BEGIN INJURY REHAB ASSIGNMENT WITH MEMPHIS (AAA)
LEFTY RELIEVER ADALBERTO MEJÍA CLAIMED ON WAIVERS FROM L.A. ANGELS
ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 30, 2019 –The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have recalled rookie outfielder Lane Thomas from Memphis (AAA), taking the 25-man roster spot of outfielder Harrison Bader who was optioned to Memphis yesterday. The team also announced that outfielder Marcell Ozuna will begin an injury rehabilitation assignment with Memphis tonight.
In addition, the Cardinals announced that they have claimed left-handed reliever Adalberto Mejía from the Los Angeles Angels and that he will be added to the team’s 25-man roster upon reporting. Mejía, 26, owns a 6-9 career mark with a 4.55 ERA in 44 games (25 starts) with Minnesota (2016-19) and the Angels (2019). The 6-3, 195-pound Dominican Republic native has appeared in a combined 17 games this season with the Twins (15.1 IP) and Halos (4.1 IP), going 0-2, 7.32 ERA and three Holds while fanning 21. He worked 3.0 scoreless innings last Thursday (July 25) vs. Baltimore and limited Oakland to just one run in 3.1 innings pitched on July 2. Mejia, originally signed by the San Francisco Giants as an international free agent in February of 2011, is 49-33 with a 3.23 ERA in 143 career games (120 starts) in the minor leagues.
The Cardinals have transferred infielder Jedd Gyorko (right wrist/back strain) to the 60-day Injured List to make room for Mejía on the team’s 40-man Major League roster.
Thomas, 23, is being recalled for the fourth time this season. The right-handed hitting outfielder has appeared in 11 games with the Cardinals in three prior stints, batting .308 (4-for-13) with a home run and 4 RBI. Thomas’ prior Major League tours this season included April 17-25, May 22-27 and June 29-July 3.
In 75 games with Memphis this season, Thomas is batting .268 (71-for-265) with 10 HR’s, 44 RBI and 11 stolen bases. He had a three-homer game this past Saturday (July 27) at Oklahoma City, and is batting .347 (26-for-75) with 6 HR & 19 RBI in 20 July games.
Ozuna, out since suffering finger fractures to his right hand on June 28, has missed 25 games while on the Injured List. Ozuna was producing at an All-Star level at the time of his injury, batting .259 with a then team-high 20 HR and 62 RBI in 78 games. His RBI total still leads the team.
Thomas wears uniform no. 35.