Cardinals send Luke Gregerson to the DL, Carlos Martinez for an MRI

The St. Louis Cardinals announced Wednesday that they have placed right-handed pitcher Luke Gregerson on the 10-day disabled list with an impingement in his throwing shoulder.

Reliever John Brebbia has been recalled from triple-A Memphis.

Gregerson, 34, worked one-third of an inning in the Cardinals' 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins Tuesday. He allowed a pair of runs, including one unearned when he threw errantly into right field in an attempted force out at first base.

The struggling reliever was signed to a two-year, $11 million contract over the winter and was named the incumbent closer when Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak met with the media at the club's annual Winter Warm-Up.

He has appeared in a total of 12 games this season, allowing eight runs on eight hits in 8.1 innings pitched. His ERA is 8.64.

"The shoulder just wasn't quite cooperating, and he's got some bark in the elbow, too," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "So we're going to have to get a look at both. I think he's had some things periodically through a long career. He'll have them pop up, but these don't seem to be letting him do what he needs to do."

Brebbia was charged with a loss in the Cardinals' 13-inning loss to the San Diego Padres on Saturday, despite striking out four in two innings. He is 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in six relief appearances. He has struck out 14 in his 10 innings pitched.

Gregerson is the fourth Cardinals pitcher to go on the disabled list this week. He joins Carlos Martínez (right lat strain), Tyler Lyons (mid back strain), Adam Wainwright (right elbow inflammation).

Matheny said Martinez will have another MRI this week to determine whether his right lat strain is improving. Martinez won't be ready to return this weekend when eligible, and the team is considering John Gant for the open spot on Saturday in St. Louis against Philadelphia.

"Obviously he's going to miss the start here, but we're still optimistic," Matheny said of Martinez.

This story was originally published May 16, 2018 at 10:10 AM with the headline "Cardinals send Luke Gregerson to the DL, Carlos Martinez for an MRI."