JUPITER, Fla.• Cardinals ace Carlos Martinez did not start Friday's game against the Boston Red Sox as scheduled. Martinez, who is not injured, instead went to a back field at the Cardinals' complex, did his pitching against minor league hitters and it was said that he needed to leave early.
But he still was believed to be in the clubhouse at the start of the regular exhibition game.
Martinez was scheduled to hurl three innings against the Red Sox, but pitched in situational-type hitting drills as his day's work.
Bud Norris started and allowed two homers, both wind-aided, in the first inning by Andrew Benintendi and Sam Travis as the Red Sox grabbed a 3-0 lead.