MILWAUKEE -- Cardinals ace Carlos Martinez took a major step this week in his return to the rotation, throwing off a mound for the first time since landing on the disabled list with a strained right lat. The next step will come Thursday, when Martinez is scheduled to make a rehab start at Double-A Springfield.
Martinez will throw between 50-60 pitches in an "abbreviated" outing against the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Astros' Double-A affiliate, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. He said the club will re-evaluate Martinez before determining whether he will require another rehab start.
If he doesn't, Martinez would line up to rejoin the Cardinals' rotation as early as June 5 against the Marlins in St.