By Cardinals Press Release | STLBaseballToday.com | May 25, 2016, 11:40 am CT
ST. LOUIS, MO., May 25, 2016 — The St. Louis Cardinals announced today [Wednesday] that they have acquired outfielder Jose Martinez from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash considerations. Martinez, who was playing for Omaha (AAA) this season, has been assigned to the Memphis (AAA) roster. To make room for Martinez on the team’s 40-man Major League roster, the Cardinals transferred right-handed pitcher Mitch Harris (right elbow) from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.
Jose Alberto Martinez, 27, was batting .298 with three home runs and 18 RBI with a .356 on-base pct. in 37 games with Omaha this season. The right-handed hitting native of Le Guaira, Venezuela is the son of former Major League outfielder Carlos Martinez.
Martinez won the Pacific Coast League batting title last season (.384) while also posting a league-best .461 on-base pct. His 2015 All-Star season also included a career-high 10 HR’s and 60 RBI.
The 6-6, 210-pound Martinez has played 800 career games in the minors, batting .296 with 53 HR, 354 RBI and 63 stolen bases. Martinez, who was originally signed as a non-drafted minor league free-agent by the Chicago White Sox in February of 2006, also played in the Atlanta Braves organization before joining the Royals in 2015.
