Cardinals release Muñoz, assign 13 players to minors

The St. Louis Cardinals‘ spring roster reduction began Saturday with the release of Yairo Muñoz and the assignment of 13 players to the minor leagues.

Muñoz, 25, was placed on unconditional release waivers. The infielder, who was expected to secure a spot on the St. Louis bench, spent most of the last two seasons with the Cardinals, batting .273 with 10 home runs and 55 RBIs in 465 at-bats in a utility role.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Muñoz left the club without warning and flew home to the Dominican Republic without explanation.

The moves:

• Pitcher Ricardo Sánchez and infielder Elehuris Montero were optioned to Double-A Springfield.

• Pitcher Alvaro Seijas was optioned to Class A Palm Beach.

• Ten non-roster invitees were reassigned to the club’s minor league camp: pitchers Akeem Bostick, Nabil Crismatt, Seth Elledge, Alex FaGalde, Griffin Roberts, Angel Rondón and Ramón Santos, infielder Luken Baker and catchers Julio Rodríguez and Alexis Wilson.

The Cardinals’ now have 57 players in major league camp.