Carlos Martinez “feels great” as he continues to rehab his shoulder, per Stu Durando of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The next steps will be either a more aggressive side session or a trip to the team facility in Jupiter, Florida. The Cardinals have been treading water up until this point with a 10-9 record, but little ground has been lost in a tightly-bunched NL Central. Martinez’s return will be interesting to track, as he is a relative rarity in terms of the breadth of his usage possibilities (and therefore the breadth of his potential impact). The party line was Martinez would return to the rotation where – when healthy – he has pitched like an ace. At the same time, when he returned from injury last season, the Cards sent him to the pen where he saved five games and earned more than three outs in an outing five times. Whether the Cards bring him back as a starter, a closer or in the fireman role, he should be a big piece for a pitching staff whose starters rank 23rd in the majors with a 5.28 ERA. Let’s check in on a couple other Cardinals pitchers looking to make it back to the bigs…
- Also from Durando, Mike Mayers – placed on the IL on April 16th – is expected to be out for “a couple of months.” Shoulder surgery is not in the offing, however, as the Cards appear consigned to rest and rehab. There was no mention of a specific grade level on Mayers’ shoulder injury, though it stands to reason based on the recovery timeline that he suffered a Grade 2 lat strain. Mayers, 27, made eight relief appearances for the Cards this season after 50 in 2018. Overall in that span, he pitched to a 4.80 ERA with a 2.85 K/BB rate.
- Alex Reyes has a new role in Memphis, as the right-hander has been moved into the starting rotation for the Cardinals’ Triple-A club, per MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch. The club’s intention is to get Reyes more game time to work on his changeup and slider, though overall command consistency remains the primary goal. The plan is for Reyes to put in 40-50 pitches in his first Triple-A start, though that number could grow as he strengthens. The team says the move is purely to get Reyes more opportunity to find his stride with those secondary pitched in-game, and while in a vacuum that explanation makes sense, it’s hard to overlook potential context clues such as the ongoing struggles of the St. Louis rotation, or the continued uncertainty around Carlos Martinez’ eventual role. Reyes’s has been in the spotlight since tossing 46 shimmering innings of 1.57 ERA baseball as a 21-year-old back in 2016, though it’s been a wait-and-see game for the Cardinal faithful since then.
Really rooting for CMart to return healthy. So much talent is there that it’d be a shame for him to just be another injured player
Where’s those Cards fans who scoffed at my trade proposal that included Reyes in a package for Stroman. Stro is killing it out there…still!!
I wasn’t one of those, at the time, but i’ll scoff at it now if it makes you feel better.
Reyes has a very high ceiling. Stroman, while good, is inconsistent year to year.
Reyes also has two more years of control over Stroman.
Would you rather have Reyes through 2022 or Stroman through 2020?
And they may gain 2023 on Reyes if he spends enough time in AAA
He’s had one off year, 2018, due to blister issues. That matter appears to be behind him…so far. Otherwise, hes been a consistent high end performer, including in the postseason.
I think any cards fan would have scoffed at that trade then and would still scoff at it now.
Interesting. I thought most fans who comment on this site looked at facts. Seems the Cards fanbase is disillusioned .
I’m not a Cards fan, and to do that trade, Stroman is not enough for Reyes. Jay’s would have to package him with another player/prospect, not that the Cards would ever think about accepting it.
First cold beer it’s funny you keep pushing this when you know very well this trade is a rip off. Are you a bit mad now that Leone is having impact and now Lane has a debut HR and it’s looking like the Jays got Grichuk but want more. Face it that’s a horrible trade when the Cardinals have depth they will not resort to looking OUTSIDE the organization. Stroman isn’t he also damaged goods and only has a year left. When Reyes has so much promise as health is not a concern it’s now getting rid of rust and so far it’s just control issues. When he’s great he’s 100 times better than Stroman. Stop pushing this trade that you clearly didn’t research the FACTS on. very ironic.
Reyes may help the Cards win a World Series in a couple years. Stroman helps the Cards win a World series for a couple years…at least.
I have no confidence in Carlos Martinez until he gets his head on straight. He needs to show he is dedicated to being a major league pitcher. He needs to show he cares more about being a starting pitcher for the Cardinals rather than what color and hair style he want to get attention with. He needs to get his attention with his 101 mph fastball and throw strikes. As we’ve noticed in the past few years, Carlos isn’t going to do any of the above. Trade him for a Lefthanded Starter such as Bumgarner. At least he would actually put in-the work and care about being a part of Cardinal success.
why is it that there is a big group of cardinal fans who have a problem with his hair? that is still the dumbest reason I have heard not to like a pitcher. yeah complain he does not prepare well or can be up and down with his emotions on the mound. these are good reasons to think someone is not an ace. Hair Color? Dumb thing to bring up.
Because there’s a decent subset of gas station “moran” fans that will give an Aaron Miles or Skip Schumaker 5 standing ovations every return trip to STL when they go to another team, but will seize onto every perceived lack of effort argument for players of color who are actually good to great players.
Carlos Martinez alone wouldn’t get Bumgarner ! Not at present time. The Giants need position players. Believe right now that it would take at least 3 top prospects to land Bumgarner
It isn’t the hair color it’s that he’s juvenile and an attention seeker. That crap gets old especially when you’re not health and/or dominating.
Exactly…bjupton100 !!!
This is a stupid and unfounded position. He’s been a top 15-20 starter in baseball every season he’s been in MLB. I’m sorry having a personality is such a negative for you.
Jose Martinez does a lot of the same kid like stuff and flamboyant celebrations and is praised for it because he gets results. When healthy, Carlos puts up ace numbers or lock down reliever numbers. I understand being frustrated over preparedness or lack of proper rehab, but jeez the crap about being “juvenile” and seeking attention is such a tired narrative. The guy is one of the best pitchers in baseball, and there are no numbers that can refute that fact.
Hasn’t had the numbers for this going into the third year. Check his stats. I do agree he has a Ton of talent. However….he needs to funnel that talent into the strike zone.
Top 15-20 starter by WAR every season since becoming a full time starter. You aren’t looking at any stats apparently.
carlos has never been an ace,
only a head case.
Comment validity seems to check out given the screen name.