Cardinals option Flaherty to make way for Wainwright

The St. Louis Cardinals optioned rookie pitcher Jack Flaherty to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday to make space on the big-league roster for Adam Wainwright.

Flaherty, a 22-year-old right-hander, threw five innings against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday and took a no-decision after allowing one run on six hits and one walk while striking out nine.

Wainwright has been sidelined since the beginning of the season with a left hamstring injury, but will be activated from the 10-day disabled list in time to start the Cardinals' home opener on Thursday.

The veteran right-hander is coming off a down year in which he owned a 5.11 ERA and 4.29 FIP over 123 1/3 innings. The 36-year-old also posted the worst walk rate of his career, issuing a free pass to 3.28 batters per nine innings.

The Cardinals are 2-3 through their first five games. St. Louis will send ace Carlos Martinez to the mound to face Jhoulys Chacin in the rubber match against the Brewers on Wednesday night.