C Carson Kelly was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Friday and was inserted into Friday's lineup after starter Yadier Molina was scratched with right ankle discomfort. Kelly went 1-for-5 with a two-run double. He was batting .283 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs through 83 games at Memphis. The rookie made his major league debut in 2016 and appeared in 10 games, batting .154 with an RBI. Kelly won the 2015 Rawlings Gold Glove award as best defensive catcher among all minor league teams.

The St. Louis Cardinals activated left-handed reliever Zach Duke and outfielder Randal Grichuk from the disabled list prior to opening a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon.Duke will make his season debut after undergoing Tommy John surgery during the offseason. He missed all of spring training and pitched nine scoreless innings in nine rehab appearances.The 34-year-old Duke was obtained from the Chicago White Sox a day before last season's non-waiver trade deadline for outfielder Charlie Tilson. He was 0-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 28 appearances after posting a 2.63 ERA in 51 appearances for the White Sox.Duke made his major league debut as a starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2005. In 441 appearances (169 starts), he is 60-84 with a 4.31 ERA for the Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, the White Sox and St. Louis.Grichuk was activated after being out since July 10 with a lower back injury. He appeared... [More]

C Carson Kelly made his second major league start and eighth career appearance. With the Cardinals idle Thursday, C Yadier Molina will get two days off. Kelly went 1-for-3. "He's been very conscientious to watch and listen," manager Mike Matheny said. "My suggestion the first day he got here was you got the opportunity to call multiple games every day as you sit here. Not that you're second guessing but first guess -- this is what I would do with this guy's stuff in this situation. You can do it for our team and the other team. If it doesn't line up with what you just did -- why did you call that pitch, how did it turn out, what was he possibly thinking. Also make a physical note -- Yadi was standing there next to me at the time -- and I said you can come back later and ask myself and ask Yadi at the proper time, why this pitch in that situation because that was different than I was thinking. That's easier said than done for a kid like Carson, but he's been asking me questions, and I know he's been asking Yadi questions. It just shows a capacity and an aptitude that he understands the importance of calling games."

C Carson Kelly made his first career start on Sunday, one year and two days after he was the starting catcher and RHP Luke Weaver, who also started on Sunday, was the pitcher in the final playoff game of the year for Class A Palm Beach.

C Carson Kelly didn't start but made his major league debut and doubled to center in the eighth inning Monday at Pittsburgh. "Very special. It's only my second day in the big leagues, and getting this opportunity to go out and contribute, it's a great feeling," he said. "My family was here. Getting that first hit, just a very special moment."

C Carson Kelly had his contract selected from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday. Kelly, 22, was the Cardinals' second-round selection (86th overall) in 2012. He will be making his major league debut. Kelly was converted from an infielder to catcher in 2014. "He had good first year defensively," manager Mike Matheny said. "He has a lot in there as far as power. We're in a situation here. We've got a catcher. He can have a good experience learning from Yadi (Molina) and Brayan (Pena). He isn't just here as an apprentice, although it would be fine if that was the only reason. He has the potential to make us a better team."

C Carson Kelly had his contract purchased by the Cardinals from from Triple-A Memphis.

C Carson Kelly was recalled by the Cardinals from Triple-A Memphis. The 22-year-old Kelly, the Cardinals' second-round draft selection in 2012, will be making his major league debut. Kelly batted a combined .289 with six home runs, 32 RBIs and a .343 on-base percentage in 96 games between Double-A Springfield and Memphis this season.

C Carson Kelly had his contract selected from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday Kelly, 22, was the Cardinals' second-round selection (86th overall) in 2012. He will be making his major league debut. Kelly was converted from an infielder to catcher in 2014. "He had good first year defensively," manager Mike Matheny said. "He has a lot in there as far as power. We're in a situation here. We've got a catcher. He can have a good experience learning from Yadi and Brayan. He isn't just here as an apprentice although it would be fine if that was the only reason. He has the potential to make us a better team."

Kelly collected seven hits on the weekend, going 7-for-12 to raise his average above .200 for the first time since early June.

Kelly has struggled mightily at the plate but the Cardinals remain committed to his conversion to catcher and it seems that aspect of his game is improving. The 21-year-old will be hoping to finish the season strong offensively and have something to build on as he will likely begin 2016 with Double-A Springfield.

Kelly continues to struggle for High-A Palm Beach, hitting just .181/.230/.266 through 177 at-bats.

The Cardinals were hoping that Kelly could develop into their catcher of the future after transitioning from third base but at this point the bat has to be at least a little more of a concern than his development behind the plate. He'll be 21 in July and in his fourth season in the system he's hitting .237/.299/.354 for his minor league career.