RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? After tossing 15.2 innings in relief since being called up to the major leagues by the St. Louis Cardinals organization, former Jasper Mike Parisi is expected to make his first career start on Saturday afternoon when the squad hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium. Yesterday, the club placed right-hander Joel Pineiro on the 15-day disabled list giving Parisi the opportunity to move into the rotation. Tomorrow’s game time is set for 7:15 p.m. and can be heard on XM Satellite Radio channel 187.
Parisi was promoted to the Cardinals 40-man roster on May 3rd. He made his first big league appearance just two days later as he worked two scoreless innings, allowed one hit and notched a strikeout propelling St. Louis to a 6-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
A native of Huntington, N.Y., Parisi was drafted by the Cardinals in the ninth round (270th overall) of the 2004 MLB draft. He holds a 2.87 ERA, posted 10 strikeouts and has allowed just five earned runs over eight appearances since being called up.
Parisi ranks second all-time at Manhattan College in career strikeouts, third in saves and fifth in innings pitched.