Cards bring up Mayers for MLB debut, option Socolovich to Memphis

In need of a spot starter for the first time this season, the St. Louis Cardinals have summoned a young arm from the minors to start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday night.

The Cardinals purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Mike Mayers from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday afternoon in advance of his first major-league start. To make room on the team's 25-man roster, the Cardinals optioned right-handed pitcher Miguel Socolovich to Memphis following Saturday night's game.

The 24-year-old Mayers was the Cardinals' third-round draft pick in 2013 out of the University of Mississippi. He has made 66 career minor-league appearances, posting a 19-24 record with a 3.49 ERA with over 350 2/3 innings pitched.

His 2016 season has been split between Double-A Springfield and Memphis, with nine starts at each level. Between those two stops, he's posted a combined record of 10-6 with a 2.62 ERA in 106 2/3 innings pitched.

Mayers will become the first pitcher to make a start for the Cardinals this season who was not a part of the team's starting five from the Opening Day roster. He is the first Cardinals pitcher to make a start in his Major League debut since left-hander Tim Cooney did so against Philadelphia on April 30, 2015 at Busch Stadium.

Socolovich made two relief appearances while in St. Louis, including two scoreless innings last night against the Dodgers. His season debut came on July 21, when he tied his career best with three strikeouts against the Padres.