Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak announced Sunday morning that top pitching prospect Carlos Martinez -- who has been serving as a reliever this year for St. Louis -- will make a spot start Monday night in the club’s series opener at home against the visiting Mets. This according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Martinez is filling in for Adam Wainwright, who is being skipped with mild right elbow discomfort.
The 22-year-old Dominican right-hander owns a pedestrian 4.86 ERA in 63 major league innings, but he possesses excellent raw stuff and has at times looked dominant. Baseball America ranked him a Top 35 prospect this winter.
This will be the second major league start for Martinez, who carries the upside of a future ace.
Wainwright, the Cardinals’ current ace, is expected to return to the rotation next weekend.