ST. LOUIS -- Carlos Martinez's return as a reliever is expected to come early next week, when the Cardinals head to Los Angeles for a three-game series against the Dodgers, another club jockeying for a spot atop the National League Wild Card standings.
Martinez planned to leave for Springfield, Mo., on Thursday and begin a rehab assignment with the Double-A club there on Friday. He's slated to throw about 30 pitches in that first appearance and return to the mound Sunday for another. Barring any setbacks, Martinez will then fly to Los Angeles to meet up with the big league team.