Rondon optioned to open roster spot for Lyons

WASHINGTON -- Neither Jorge Rondon nor Eric Fornataro, both of whom were called to the Majors on Thursday, had an opportunity to pitch in the four-game series the Cardinals concluded Sunday. Fornataro, however, gets the opportunity for the longer stay.

Needing to clear space for Tyler Lyons to be added to the 25-man roster Monday, the Cardinals optioned Rondon back to Triple-A Memphis following Sunday's 3-2 loss. Manager Mike Matheny said that the club internally considered Fornataro the first of the two called up last week, which put him in place to be the one to stay.

"I think they're both very similar in how they've pitched and how they'd be used," Matheny said. "Jorge has been throwing good and he's been [pitching] on the backside [of the bullpen], too. We're going to send him back and tell him to be ready in case we need him. We know what he can do, even though he didn't get a chance to show it this time."