The Cardinals today recalled first baseman Mark Hamilton in addition to purchasing the contract of third baseman Matt Carpenter from Triple-A Memphis.

The moves leave the Cardinals with 13 position players and 12 pitchers as the club optioned infielder Pete Kozma to Memphis following Thursday night's game and optioned pitcher Maikel Cleto to Springfield today. Cleto made his major-league debut in Thursday's loss to the San Francisco Giants.

Carpenter's promotion occurs two months after he narrowly missed making the opening day roster following a strong major-league camp. 

Carpenter, 25, batted .283 with a .421 on-base percentage in 52 games for Memphis. Hamilton, 26, appeared in 16 games for the Cardinals earlier this season and had three hits 15 at-bats. In 25 games for Memphis, he was 34 for 87 (.391) with a .509 on-base percentage.

Carpenter earned recognition as Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year in 2010. A lefthanded hitter, he arrives after beginning the 2010 season at Class A Palm Beach.

Today's moves give the Cardinals two lefthanded-hitting third basemen. Daniel Descalso has offered a strong defensive presence while proving an effective clutch hitter against righthanded pitching since David Freese was lost to a broken hand on May 1.

Manager Tony La Russa did not address his plan for either Lynn or Cleto following Thursday's loss; however, Lynn offered the more impressive performance by allowing two runs on one hit -- a home run by Giants first baseman Aubrey Huff -- in his first five innings. Cleto absorbed two home runs during a five-run seventh inning before working a scoreless eighth.

By adding Carpenter to the major-league roster, the Cardinals stand  at the maximum 40.