Cardinals demote Justin Masterson to bullpen

Cardinals pitcher Justin Masterson has been demoted to the bullpen, St. Louis manager Mike Matheny told reporters Monday.

Cardinals pitcher Justin Masterson has been demoted to the bullpen, St. Louis manager Mike Matheny told reporters Monday. 

Masterson has struggled since joining the Cardinals in a trade from the Indians. In six starts with his new team he is 2-3 with a 7.90 ERA, and has only lasted longer than five innings in two of those starts.

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In an attempt to solve some of his issues, Masterson pitched exclusively out of the stretch in his start on Saturday. He gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings. 

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Entering Monday, the Cardinals are tied with the Milwaukee Brewers atop the NL Central.

- Dan Gartland