St. Louis Cardinals Recall OF Tommy Pham, Option LHP Tim Cooney to Triple-A
The St. Louis Cardinals have recalled outfielder Tommy Pham from Triple-A Memphis and optioned lefthanded starting pitcher Tim Cooney to the minors, a day after Cooney made a spot start against the San Diego Padres. Pham will be in the Cardinals’ lineup tonight and bat eighth while starting in center field.
Pham, who got his feet wet at the big-league level in September of last year, was hitting .338/.402/.625 with five homers and 21 RBI in 24 games at Memphis. He’ll provide the Cardinals with another option in the outfield while Jon Jay suffers through his second stint on the disabled list this season.
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For the second time this season, Cooney ends up back in Triple-A the day after making a spot start in the big leagues. The lefty was significantly improved in his second major-league start, failing to factor into the decision but allowing three runs (two earned) while allowing six hits, walking two, and striking out six in six innings. He had labored through his first big-league appearance back on April 30, allowing seven hits and a walk, which resulted in three earned runs in 2.1 innings.
With the Cardinals needing a starting pitcher for at least one end of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs–the other end is scheduled to be started by lefty Jaime Garcia, who is currently injured–Pham’s stay with the big-league club could be short. However, the club could always option right-handed relievers Marcus Hatley or Miguel Socolovich to the minors in order to create extra space on the roster. Lefty Tyler Lyons, who has started five games for the big-league club this season, is expected to be the spot starter for Tuesday.