ST. LOUIS (AP) 鈥� The St. Louis Cardinals promoted catching prospect Jimmy Crooks and outfielder Nelson Vel谩zquez from Triple-A on Friday before beginning a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs.
The Cardinals optioned catcher Yohel Pozo and infielder Cesar Prieto to Triple-A.
In 39 games, the 24-year-old Crooks hit .262 with 29 RBIs. He has 13 homers. Crooks came up late last season and hit .133 in 15 games.
Adding Crooks gives the Cardinals three catchers. He joins Iv谩n Herrera and Pedro Pag茅s. Crooks will serve as the No. 2 catcher behind Herrera.
St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol plans to give Crooks significant playing time.
鈥淐rooks will have a decent amount of catching,鈥� said Marmol. 鈥淗e鈥檚 definitely here to play.鈥�
Vel谩zquez has played in 40 games with Memphis, hitting .232. He has hit seven homers and driven in 22 runs. He hit .357 with four homers in 15 spring training games.
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