The St. Louis Cardinals, who had requested outright release waivers on Memphis (AAA) outfielder Joey Butler, announced today that Butler’s contract has been purchased by the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball League.

The move currently puts the Cardinals 40-man Major League roster at 39.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Butler, 28, most recently appeared in five games with the Cardinals following his purchase from Memphis on May 9. The right-handed hitting outfielder was batting .360 with 4 home runs and 20 RBI in 31 games at Memphis, where he was part of a talented outfield that included top prospects Oscar Taveras, Randal Grichuk and Stephen Piscotty who are all enjoying strong seasons for the Redbirds.

Butler joins an Orix team that is currently leading the NPB Pacific League with a 29-16 mark and he will be teamed with former Cardinals pitcher Brandon Dickson as well as former Major Leaguers Wily Mo Pena and Esteban German.