Cardinals demote reliever Salas to Memphis

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals optioned struggling reliever Fernando Salas, their closer much of last season, to Class AAA Memphis.

The 26-year-old Salas, a right-hander, had a team-leading 24 saves and a 2.28 ERA last year. He's 0-2 with a 6.32 ERA in 18 appearances this season.

Chuckie Fick is a 26-year-old right-hander. He was expected to be in uniform Saturday night against the Phillies, making his major league debut.

Fick was a 15th round draft pick in 2007 out of Cal State-Northridge. He was 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA and two saves in a team-leading 21 appearances covering 21 innings in Memphis. His 2.30 ERA with Memphis was the fourth-best among Class AAA relievers with 50 or more appearances last year.

-- Associated Press