RHP Jerome Williams struggled through a three-inning relief outing on Friday, giving up six runs on six hits while walking one and striking out two. Four of the hits were home runs, the most he's ever allowed in 230 games pitched.

RHP Jerome Williams had his contract purchased from Triple-A Memphis Monday. Manager Mike Matheny said he was called up because of his ability to throw a lot of pitches if needed. This year with Memphis, he is 5-3 with a 4.89 ERA in nine starts. Williams was signed to a minor league contract in June after going 4-12 in 33 appearances for the Philadelphia Phillies last season.

RHP Jerome Williams had his contract purchased by the St. Louis Cardinals from Triple-A Memphis.He fills the roster spot of rookie pitcher Mike Mayers, who was optioned to Memphis after allowing nine earned runs in 1 1/1 innings in Sunday night's game. The Cardinals also transferred right-handed pitcher Jordan Walden (right shoulder) to the 60-day disabled list.Williams, 34, was signed to a minor-league contract in June and posted a 5-3 record with a 4.89 ERA in nine starts for the Redbirds. He has spent 10 seasons in the majors since being selected in the first round of the 1999 draft by the San Francisco Giants. Williams owns a career record of 52-66 with a 4.57 ETA in 225 games, including 149 starts. He was 4-12 in 33 games, 21 starts, for Philadelphia last season.

RHP Jerome Williams, signed this week as a free agent to provide depth in the rotation at Triple-A Memphis, took the loss in his season debut Sunday. The 34-year-old veteran gave up three runs on five hits, including two homers, in five innings during the start at Iowa.

RHP Jerome Williams, signed as a free agent this week by the Cardinals, got the loss Sunday in his first start for Triple-A Memphis. He allowed three runs in five innings.

RHP Jerome Williams signed a minor league contract on Friday and will be sent to Triple-A Memphis. The 34-year-old Williams last pitched in 2015 with Philadelphia, going 4-12 with a 5.80 ERA in 33 games, 21 of which were starts.

RHP Jerome Williams was inked to a minor league deal Friday by the Cardinals and will go to Triple-A Memphis, where he's expected to slot into the starting rotation. Williams last pitched last year for Philadelphia, going 4-12 with a 5.80 ERA in 33 appearances, 21 of them starts. Injuries at Memphis forced St. Louis into this move, which protects it should further problems occur.

Williams (4-11) took the loss and was also charged with a blown save in a 2-1 loss to the Braves.

The former starter's struggles have followed him to the bullpen, with Williams surrendering a two-run, bases loaded double to Freddie Freeman that proved to be the winning runs for the Braves. Williams actually entered Saturday's contest with three consecutive scoreless relief appearances, and his pace of allowing homers has naturally slowed with the reduced amount of innings he is now pitching. However, Williams' track record as a starter would suggest that he eventually will falter more often than not, making him a risky option each time he takes the mound in any capacity.

Williams will not be used as the Phillies' sixth starter this month, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Williams was mentioned as the likely candidate to return to the rotation, but David Buchanan was recalled from the minors to be used as a starter. Williams will continue to work in middle relief for the remainder of the season.

Williams could return to the Phillies' rotation with the team looking to use six starters for the remainder of the season, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Phillies currently have their Wednesday starter listed as "To Be Announced." Williams has been working out of the pen for the past week. He is 4-10 with a 5.99 ERA and a 67:29 K:BB ratio in 112.2 innings this season.

Williams has been removed from the rotation and will pitch out of the bullpen moving forward, Stephen Gross of The Morning Call reports.

Williams will be available out of the bullpen starting Friday, with the Phillies set to recall Alec Asher for Sunday's start against the Padres. While the veteran hurler didn't have much fantasy appeal before (6.13 ERA and 1.66 WHIP over 105.2 innings this season), the move to the bullpen will further diminish it.

Williams picked up his 10th loss of the season Tuesday after allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits over 5.1 innings against the Mets. He struck out five and walked two.

Williams has allowed 12 runs in his last two starts after a solid run earlier this month. He may be at risk of losing his rotation spot next month if the Phillies decide to give one of their younger starting pitchers a look when rosters expand. Williams is a free agent after the season and is not part of the team's future plans.

Williams (4-9) was bombarded by the Marlins to the tune of eight runs on eight hits and four walks in 1.2 innings Thursday.

The Phillies' hitters at least made it close, but ultimately couldn't come back from the hole Williams dug them into. After allowing just one earned run in three consecutive starts -- an anomalous hot streak from a guy like Williams -- we knew he was due for regression, but it's unexpected to see it come with such force from the lacking Miami offense. Williams gets another divisional foe next -- the Mets, who've scored eight runs (seven earned) in 11 innings against him this year.

Williams allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits over six innings Saturday against the Brewers. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Williams has a 1.50 ERA in his last three starts. He's now 4-8 with a 5.47 ERA and a 59:23 K:BB ratio in 98.2 innings. He will face the Marlins in his next start.

Williams allowed one earned run on seven hits, walking three and striking out six across five innings of work in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Dodgers.

Williams had been roughed up in the last few starts, but he bounced back nicely on Tuesday. Although he didn't earn the win, he pitched one of his best games of the year. Williams is 3-8 with a 6.09 ERA and will look to build on this in his next start against the Padres.

Williams (3-8) was tagged for four runs on 10 hits in 4.1 innings during Wednesday's loss to Toronto.

No surprises here -- Williams has somehow stuck in the Philadelphia rotation despite consistently awful results. He's allowed four or more runs five times in his last six starts and has only struck out more than four batters twice all year -- both times in April. It's hard to imagine a fantasy format where he helps owners -- that is, outside of daily leagues, in which owners should be planning to stack Dodgers against him Tuesday.

Williams struck out four and walked one while holding the Cubs to three runs on six hits over six innings in a no-decision Friday afternoon.

He spit the hook when Jason Motte coughed up a one-run lead in the top of the ninth inning Friday. Williams is currently occupying a spot in the Phillies' rotation and he may remain in the mix for the rest of 2015 as it's possible that Cole Hamels will be on the move in the coming days. The quality start Friday was Williams' first since May 26 against the Twins. His next scheduled start is set for Wednesday in Toronto.

Williams will start Friday against the Cubs, Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

He's 0-5 with an 8.72 ERA on the road so far this season, and will draw the Cubs at Wrigley Field in his first start since June 16. Williams, who is back on the active roster after missing a month with a hamstring injury, will be available out of the bullpen in an emergency situation Tuesday.

Williams (hamstring) will be activated from the disabled list Tuesday.

Williams is expected to pitch out of the bullpen initially upon his return, but will end up slotting into the rotation. It's a bit of a strange move to bring him off the DL and option David Buchanan after Buchanan pitched relatively well Monday night; the best thing fantasy owners can do with Williams is stack hitters against him in daily formats.

Williams (hamstring) allowed one run on five hits over eight innings in a rehab start for Double-A Reading on Friday.

The Phillies have yet to announce their plans for Williams, but he looks ready to return to the active roster. He has been sidelined since June 17 with a strained left hamstring.