Former first-round draft pick Marco Gonzales has battled shoulder problems all season and has been roughed up in his limited appearances for Triple-A Memphis. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old lefthander was one of three players promoted by the Cardinals today and he will be the starting pitcher vs. the Washington Nationals at 7:15 tonight.
Gonzales, who won two postseason games for the Cardinals in 2014, is filling in for Carlos Martinez, who has a stiff back. In 13 starts covering 64 innings at Memphis, Gonzales compiled a 1-4 record and 5.20 earned-run average. He allowed 81 hits and walked 22, and opponents batted .