ST. LOUIS -- The morning after losing the championship in Triple-A, five St. Louis Cardinals farmhands still won promotions to the major-league club.

Outfielder Allen Craig rejoined the team as planned, and he was joined on the morning flight from Memphis by 3B/OF Joe Mather, 1B Mark Hamilton, RHP P.J. Walters and 2B Daniel Descalso. All of the promotions were already on the 40-man roster save for Descalso. To make room for Descalso on the 40-man roster the club designated lefthanded starter Evan MacLane for assignment.

All five are listed as active for today's game, though Walters -- who be used in long relief -- pitched Friday night in Memphis and will be rested for a few days before being green-lighted for work.

"They complement what we're trying to do over the last couple weeks," manager Tony La Russa said. "All had solid years. All have something that they can add. ... Everybody is a little different. They add something to us."

Descalso and Craig offer the most intrigue of the group because of the roles they could play with the 2011 club. There was significant pressure for Craig to become part of a right field platoon after the Cardinals' traded Ryan Ludwick away, though he was optioned back to Class AAA Memphis as Jon Jay usurped a majority of the playing time. Craig will continue to get a look at that position to see if the production he's had in Triple-A can translate to the majors. Descalso has experience at shortstop and third base, but it's second base where he could see time in spring training as part of a competition for the position.

Descalso, 23, hit .282/.350/.421 in 116 games with Memphis.

-30-