Cardinals claim Joey Butler off waivers from Rangers

The St. Louis Cardinals have claimed outfielder Joey Butler off waivers from the Texas Rangers, according to a team announcement. To make room on the 40-man roster, the team designated right-handed pitcher Victor Marte for assignment.

Butler, 27, was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Monday to make room for outfielder Nelson Cruz, who returned from his 50-game suspension to play for the team in their AL Wild Card-tiebreaker loss to the Rays. Butler made his major league debut this season for the Rangers, notching four hits and an RBI in twelve at-bats over eight games. The former fifteenth round pick hit .291 with 12 HR and 51 RBI in 119 games with Triple-A Round Rock, with whom he has spent the last three seasons.

Marte, 32, surrendered two earned runs and four hits over three innings with the Cardinals this season, and spent the majority of the year with Triple-A Memphis. In 45 appearances out of the bullpen in the minors, the former Royal posted a 2-3 record and 4.94 ERA. Marte spent the majority of the 2012 season in the majors with the Cardinals, posting a 3-2 record and 4.91 ERA in 48 appearances. He will immediately be placed on waivers, and will either be claimed by a new team or outrighted off the 40-man roster after clearing waivers. If he is outrighted, he may be able to elect free agency once the World Series is complete.