The first time Cardinals backup catcher Brayan Pena hurt his left knee, an injury that required surgery, the Cardinals called down to Jupiter, Fla., and summoned Eric Fryer, who had just ridden a bus across the state of Florida. One of the last cuts in camp, Fryer was about to break with the Memphis team but showed up in Pittsburgh in time for opening day.
He stayed nearly three months, catching and throwing well and hitting a surprising .368 in limited duty. But when Pena was due to come off the disabled list after exhausting all 20 days of his minor league rehabilitation time, the Cardinals decided to designate Fryer for assignment rather than carry three catchers.