Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez was shut last September due to a Grade 2 shoulder strain, but he told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com at the team’s Winter Warm-Up event today that he feels “90 percent” in advance of beginning his throwing program on Tuesday.
Martinez did not require surgery for the injury, but he has been rehabbing at the team’s spring training complex in Jupiter, Florida for most of the offseason. While the 24-year-old said today that he expects to be ready for the start of 2016, there should be more clarity on his status as he ramps up his throwing in the coming weeks.
Martinez thrived during his first extended chance in the Cardinals’ rotation last season, posting a 3.01 ERA and 184/63 K/BB ratio over 179 2/3 innings.