Mayers pitched well enough in spring training to win a spot on the opening day roster, and then he was used twice in the first two weeks of the season. The Cardinals opted to assign him to a long-relief role that was rarely, if ever, needed, and that meant he was gathering rust in the bullpen. The Cardinals needed a spot on the roster for Greg Holland this past Monday, and to create that spot they optioned Mayers to Triple-A Memphis.
The Cardinals have two regulars on their way back to the active roster, though both could be added after this four-game set in Cincinnati.