PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. • As the first inning of his first spring start went sideways this afternoon for Carlos Martinez, the Cardinals starter hit one batter, walked two batters, needed 31 pitches to get three outs, and required a visit from catcher Carson Kelly and another from coach Mike Maddux.
That leaves the Cardinals with four.
In the first two games of spring training, the Cardinals – and, no doubt, other teams – have started counting something they never have before and learned that maybe six is enough, but can go fast. In an attempt to speed up the pace of play, Major League Baseball will limit teams to six mound visits a game.