ST. LOUIS - Ten days after signing lefty Brian Fuentes to a minor league contract, the St. Louis Cardinals have added him to the major league roster.
The Cardinals purchased the contract of the 36-year-old Fuentes from Double-A Springfield in time for Wednesday night's game against the Dodgers.
Fuentes is a four-time All-Star with 224 career saves to lead active left-handers. He led the majors with 48 saves in 2009 with the Angels.
The Cardinals had also been in the bidding for Fuentes before the '09 season.
Fuentes was 2-2 with a 6.84 ERA and five saves in eight chances in 26 appearances for Oakland before being released on July 11. The Athletics had signed Fuentes to a two-year, $11 million contract in January as a setup man.
Fuentes and Oakland manager Bob Geren clashed in May over the left-hander's role in the bullpen. Earlier this season, Fuentes became the first Oakland reliever ever to take the loss in four consecutive appearances.
Struggling Cardinals right-hander Victor Marte was optioned to Triple-A Memphis and right-hander Chuckie Fick was designated for assignment to clear space on the 40--man roster. Fuentes will be the third left-hander in the bullpen along with Marc Rzepczynski and rookie Barret Browning.
Rzepczynski has been a bit of a disappointment with a 4.96 ERA and Browning has thrown just 7 2/3 major league innings.
Marte was 2-2 with a 4.46 ERA. He allowed runs in five of his last nine outings, surrendering five runs in 6 1/3 innings with a blown save and a loss.