Six More from Memphis to St. Louis

Players Brian Barden, Kelly Stinnett, Brad Thompson and Brian Falkenborg plus coaches Chris Maloney and Rick Eckstein are joining the St. Louis Cardinals from Triple-A Memphis.

With the end of the season for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds on Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals added four of their players on Tuesday.

Infielder Brian Barden, catcher Kelly Stinnett and right-handed pitchers Brad Thompson and Brian Falkenborg will each join the Cardinals for their Tuesday night contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Already on the 40-man roster, Barden and Thompson were recalled from Memphis. Stinnett and Falkenborg, while having seen Major League time with the Cardinals this season, were not on the 40-man. Their contracts were purchased from Memphis.

In corresponding roster moves to free up the necessary two spots on the 40-man, outfielder Juan Encarnacion was placed on the 60-day disabled list due to the serious eye injury suffered last weekend and the Cardinals designated Memphis left-handed pitcher Randy Keisler for assignment.

Barden is the lone player of the four that has yet to see action in a Cardinals uniform, but he does have a bit of MLB experience – 12 at-bats over eight games earlier this season. The 26-year-old was claimed off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 13th and was immediately optioned to Memphis. Barden will wear jersey #62, Falkenborg #60 and Stinnett #54.

This is the second wave of players arriving from Memphis this week after five arrived on Saturday. At that time, the club recalled outfielder Skip Schumaker and right-handed pitchers Andy Cavazos and Kelvin Jimenez from Memphis.

They also purchased the contract of infielder Miguel Cairo from the Triple-A club and activated left-handed pitcher Mike Maroth from 15-day disabled list. Maroth had been rehabbing at Memphis. To make room for Cairo, the club designated Memphis catcher Brian Esposito for assignment.

When Wednesday’s scheduled starting pitcher Mark Mulder is officially brought off the 60-day disabled list, another 40-man roster move will be required.

In addition, Memphis manager Chris Maloney and batting coach Rick Eckstein will join the Cardinals immediately to assist the Major League coaching staff for the remainder of the 2007 season.



Brian Walton can be reached via email at [e-mail].

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