The Cardinals optioned reliever Seth Maness to Triple-A Memphis on Friday after a rough start to the season that has his ERA at 6.39 through his first 13 appearances.
The Cardinals have yet to announce the move, but the 27-year-old right-hander confirmed the demotion before leaving the visiting clubhouse at Dodger Stadium prior to the Cardinals' series opener vs. the Dodgers. Left-hander Dean Kiekhefer is expected to receive a callup and replace Maness in the Cardinals' bullpen.
Maness, a bullpen stalwart who had 76 appearances in 2015 to give him 215 over the last three seasons, had pitched four scoreless innings to begin the month of May, seemingly getting his season headed in the right direction.