With Saturday's starter still TBA, the Cardinals optioned reliever Fernando Salas to Memphis and brought starter Adam Ottavino back up. Salas pitched two innings in Thursday's loss against the Blue Jays, and wouldn't have been available to pitch in tonight's game. The Cardinals' official Twitter reported the news Friday afternoon.
Blake Hawksworth still seems like the likely candidate to start on Saturday, but Ottavino is here to save the bullpen if either Hawksworth or Suppan falter early.
Salas, Memphis's closer, has thrown 4.1 scoreless innings in 2010, his first season in the Major Leagues, with two strikeouts and one walk. Ottavino, the Cardinals' first round pick in 2005, made three starts for St. Louis in May and June, going 0-2 with a 7.53 ERA. He skipped his start in Memphis yesterday, leading some to believe this move was imminent.