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St. Louis Cardinals Recall Miguel Socolovich, Send Down Sam Tuivailala

By Patrick Karraker

Sep 7, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Miguel Socolovich (63) pitches to a Chicago Cubs batter during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. The Cubs defeated the Cardinals 9-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Miguel Socolovich (63) pitches to a Chicago Cubs batter during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. The Cubs defeated the Cardinals 9-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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The St. Louis Cardinals made a bullpen swap just days before rosters expand.

The St. Louis Cardinals made a change in their bullpen before beginning a weekend series with the Oakland Athletics, recalling Miguel Socolovich from Triple-A Memphis while optioning Sam Tuivailala. The 23-year-old Tuivailala gave up two earned runs on three hits in the ninth inning of Thursday’s loss to the New York Mets.

Socolovich has been extremely effective at both the Triple-A and major-league levels for the past two years, so this move makes a lot of sense. Though he’s 30 years old and lacks elite velocity, he’s repeatedly put up good numbers, and it’s somewhat of a surprise that the Cardinals haven’t utilized him more frequently.

Socolovich had a standout season in 2015, posting a 1.82 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and .221 opponent average over 29 2/3 innings. He’s been mostly impressive again in two major-league appearances this year–other than the fact that he gave up a solo homer to the Padres’ Yangervis Solarte on July 21–but that’s the only hit he’s given up while walking two in 3 2/3 innings. In 51 2/3 innings at Triple-A this year, Socolovich has a 3.14 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and .219 opponent batting average.

Next: Which Players Will Cardinals Add in September?

This is the second straight season that Tuivailala has gotten the short end of the stick in terms of being demoted right before September 1. Last year, he was demoted on August 31, and then he had to stay at Triple-A until their season ended, returning on September 8. This year, he’ll be eligible to return to the majors on September 5 (all players are required to spend 10 days in the minors after being optioned unless an injury occurs). That’s the last day of the Redbirds’ season, so expect to see Tuivailala back with the Cardinals on September 6.

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