Reliever Cishek added to roster, Cooney optioned to minors
ST. LOUIS (AP) When Steve Cishek heard he might be traded, the side-arm reliever hoped it would be to the St. Louis Cardinals. He got his wish.
The Cardinals added Cishek to the roster Saturday, bolstering a bullpen that's been heavily used, and optioned rookie lefty Tim Cooney to Triple-A Memphis.
''I just remember telling my wife, if I would be traded to the Cardinals it would be the best situation possible situation,'' Cishek said. ''It's going to be sweet coming out here and every seat's filled and the crowd's just jumping. I'm beyond thrilled to be here.''
The team also announced that lefty Jaime Garcia, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin, would rejoin the rotation either Tuesday or Wednesday. Garcia, 3-3 with a 1.69 ERA in seven starts, threw five hitless innings in his lone rehab start.
''When he's right and he's healthy, we want him on the mound,'' manager Mike Matheny said. ''Everything was right, so let's go.''
John Lackey would be on regular rest to pitch Tuesday but the 36-year-old right-hander will likely get an extra day of rest.
The NL Central leaders made the roster move a day after Cooney earned his first win in the majors this year by pitching seven strong innings against Atlanta.
St. Louis got Cishek, who has closing experience, from the Miami Marlins in exchange for Double-A pitcher Kyle Barraclough on Friday.
''Just want to first get him acclimated here, and who knows what that role might mean,'' Matheny said. ''It will be more on need than anything else.''
The 29-year-old Cishek was 2-6 with three saves and a 4.50 ERA. He was demoted to Double-A earlier this season where he addressed mechanical difficulties, and had an 0.71 ERA in 13 games since returning to Miami in mid-June.
''Whenever my spot comes up, I'm just here to do whatever,'' Cishek said. ''I'm a relatively quiet guy and just like to follow along with what skipper says.
''If he wants me to pitch the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or 10th or play right field if we run out of position players, sure enough I'll do it.''
Cooney is 1-0 with a 3.16 ERA in six starts for St. Louis.
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