JUPITER, Fla. • At one point this spring, the Cardinals were all but set to Carlos Martinez behind here when the season started so that the righthander, who had a shoulder issue late last season, wouldn’t have to rush into action. There were three off days in the first 10 after all and a fifth starter really wouldn’t be needed until nearly two weeks into the season.
But Martinez isn’t staying back for anything. He is camera ready now. Making his last spring training start in Florida, Martinez shackled the New York Mets on three hits and one run over six innings Monday, retiring 13 hitters in succession between the second and sixth and walking no one.