ST. LOUIS (AP) - The St. Louis Cardinals brought up a hot-hitting minor leaguer Friday, recalling outfielder Randal Grichuk from Triple-A Memphis and optioning outfielder Shane Robinson to their top farm club.
Grichuk was set to bat second and play right field Friday night against the San Francisco Giants in a lineup minus first baseman Matt Adams for the third straight game. Adams has a calf injury and his availability to pinch-hit was in doubt.
“It’s still the same - still tight,” manager Mike Matheny said. “So we’re going to be careful.”
The 22-year-old Grichuk hit his team-leading 10th home run Thursday night and was batting .315 with 32 RBIs at Memphis. He ranked among the Pacific Coast League leaders in slugging percentage and was batting .451 against left-handers.
Matheny said he’s been searching for an effective hitter in the No. 2 slot, and that’s where Grichuk was batting in the minors. Grichuk is an option at all three outfield spots.
The Cardinals acquired Grichuk, a first-round draft pick by the Angels in 2009, in an offseason trade. He was 3 for 21 in an earlier stint with St. Louis, making four starts before getting sent down May 7.
“He just went back and kept raking,” Matheny said. “He didn’t really miss a beat. He’s an exciting player.”
The 29-year-old Robinson appeared in 23 games and was batting .152 with two RBIs.
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