Michael Wacha and Carlos Martinez join Springfield this weekend

Springfield, MO - The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that RHP Michael Wacha and RHP Carlos Martinez, both members of the St. Louis 40-Man Roster, will join the Springfield Cardinals for the rest of the Texas League season.

The Cardinals return to Hammons Field for the final three-game home series of the season starting this Saturday. Wacha and Martinez will be on Springfield's roster and will be at the ballpark. Both players will also have jerseys available in the Specialty Teal Pinstripe Jersey Auction this Saturday, benefitting GYNCA, and the Home White Jersey Auction on Monday, benefitting the Cardinals Youth Initiative.

Wacha, 22, joins Springfield directly from St. Louis, where he has put together a 2-0 record with a 3.78 ERA through 10 games and four starts in his rookie season. The Iowa City, Iowa native made his Major League debut on May 30, splitting the 2013 campaign between the big leagues and the Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A). Wacha was selected in the 1st round of the 2012 draft out of Texas A&M, and helped Springfield claim it's first Texas League Championship in 2012 after joining the Cardinals last August.

Martinez, 21, has split the majority of the season between St. Louis and Memphis, after starting the campaign in Springfield. He most recently was a member of the Redbirds staff, posting a 5-3 record with a 2.51 ERA through 13 starts this year. The Colinas del Sur, Dominican Republic native made his Major League debut on May 3, joining St. Louis directly from Springfield earlier that day. In the big leagues this year, Martinez has gone 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA through 12 outings and one start. He was also a member of last year's Texas League Champion Springfield Cardinals, originally signing with St. Louis as a Non-Drafted Free Agent in 2010.

Click here to get your tickets to see Michael Wacha and Carlos Martinez at Hammons Field right now.

The Cardinals conclude the road trip in Arkansas on Friday at 7:10pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

Springfield returns home for the final home series of the 2013 Regular Season, starting on Saturday, August 31. That night will feature the Mercy Knit Scarf Giveaway (2,500), along with AM Pyrotechnics End of Season Fireworks. The Cardinals will also be wearing Teal Pinstripe Specialty Jerseys that will be auctioned off to benefit GYNCA. First Pitch is 6:09pm, gates open at 5:09pm.

The Cardinals then take on the Tulsa Drillers again on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 6:09pm for the Purina Bark in the Park, when all fans can bring their dogs to the game. The night will feature a pregame pet parade, with all fans that bring pets invited to march around the field. To participate in the parade, please arrive at the ballpark by 5:30pm.

The Sunday, Sept. 1 game will also feature the Purina Pet Food Bowl Mat Giveaway for 2,500 fans. Sunday's game will be a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday with free ice cream for kids before the game, and then all kids can run the bases after the game. Gates open at 5:09pm.

The Cardinals then wrap up the 2013 Regular Season on Monday, Sept. 2 with a 12:09pm First Pitch. Monday's matinee will feature the Home White Jersey Auction, featuring the team's game-worn jerseys with the Texas League Championship and Stan Musial #6 commemorative patches on them. The Labor Day ballgame is also Fan Appreciation Day, with all fans in attendance receiving a free ticket voucher for a 2014 game.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a Cake Pop Company Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.

Click here for the Cardinals full 2013 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now.

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