Cardinals recall Flores, opt for 8-man bullpen

By R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writertr

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Cardinals activated reliever Flores from the 15-day disabled list on Friday, opting for an eight-man bullpen during a stretch of 18 consecutive games.

“We want to have that extra pitcher rather than the extra player,” manager Tony La Russa said. “I’d rather have one less move to make on the position player side.”

Right-hander Kelvin Jimenez also was recalled from Triple-A Memphis, while rookie right-hander Chris Perez and outfielder Joe Mather were optioned to Memphis. The Cardinals had a four-man bench for Friday’s game against the Padres — infielders Adam Kennedy and Aaron Miles, first baseman-outfielder Chris Duncan and catcher Jason LaRue.

Flores, who gives the Cardinals a second left-handed reliever, did not allow a run in three rehab outings with Memphis. He had been out since June 26 with left ankle tendinitis and was 1-0 with a 5.12 ERA and 16 walks in 19 1-3 innings in 32 games before the injury. He walked five of his last 13 batters, including two with the bases loaded, before going on the DL, and left-handed hitters were batting .278 against him.

“He’s been an important member of our bullpen for several years now,” La Russa said. “That’s what we need him to be.”

Left-handed relief has been a weakness on the team all year. The other lefty, Ron Villone, was 1-2 with a 4.93 ERA in 39 games.

Jimenez was 0-0 with an 8.53 ERA in two earlier stints with the Cardinals, giving up six runs in 6 1-3 innings. He was 1-2 with a 1.45 ERA and 11 saves at Memphis but also struggled last year with St. Louis, going 3-0 with 7.50 ERA, leading the team to conclude he’s been trying too hard.

Mather was batting .244 in 45 at-bats with St. Louis, hitting his second homer in Thursday’s 4-3 victory over the Padres.

The hard-throwing Perez, 23, was 2-1 with a 4.18 ERA, striking out 22 in 23 2-3 innings, but has faded somewhat after a fast start. The Cardinals want the right-hander, considered a possible future closer, to develop more of a repertoire in the minors.

“He’s been going with what he’s got,” La Russa said. “He needs to keep adding ways to get hitters out, and I’m sure we’ll see him back this year.”