Cardinals Media Relations

The St. Louis Cardinals announced a series of roster moves this afternoon with left-handed reliever Raul Valdes joining the team’s 25-man roster for tonight’s series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Cardinals outrighted Memphis (AAA) right-handed pitcher David Kopp off the 40-man roster and optioned right-handed pitcher Maikel Cleto from St. Louis to Memphis.  The Cardinals also activated right-handed pitcher Bryan Augenstein from the 60-day disabled list and optioned him to Memphis.  Today’s moves give the Cardinals a full 40-man roster.

Valdes, 33, was signed by the Cardinals last November after going 3-3 with a 4.91 ERA in 38 games in 2010 for the New York Mets where he fanned 56 batters in 58.2 innings pitched.

The 5-11, 190-pound native of Cuba was 5-2 with a 5.05 ERA in 21 games (7 starts) for the Memphis Redbirds this season.  Since moving out of the Memphis starting rotation, Valdes has excelled in a relief role, going 3-0 with a 0.55 ERA in his 14 relief appearances.  He has struck out 16 batters in 16.1 IP in relief, allowing just one walk and a .109 opponent’s batting average.   In the month of June, Valdes is 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA in seven appearances.

Valdes earned his first Major League save last May 25 against the Phillies with 3.0 scoreless innings.  He collected his first Major League hit (off Felipe Lopez) in the 18th inning of the Cardinals-Mets 20-inning affair last April 17 at Busch Stadium.

Valdes has been assigned uniform #37.