St. Louis Cardinals: Carlos Martinez Out for the Season with Shoulder Strain
By Sammy Stava
The Cardinals have feared the worst from the latest injury to Carlos Martinez. After exiting in the top of the 1st inning last night due to right shoulder tightness, Cardinals GM John Mozeliak announced to reporters today that Martinez is shut down for the year with a shoulder strain. Martinez will be out for the entire postseason.
Despite this recent big blow to the starting rotation, there are still some positives to go along with Martinez’s injury. Shoulder surgery is not required and he is expected to return for the start of spring training. Martinez being out of the season may have affected the plan for Adam Wainwright’s return, as it is becoming more possible that he will be in a bullpen role during the postseason.
Now, the question is: can the resilient Cardinals survive another injury? They have done so all season, but could this one be too big to overcome? Another challenge will have to wait for this injury-riddled team, which still remarkably has the best record in all of baseball.
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Looking at the postseason starting rotation with Martinez out, the Cardinals can still rely on four consistent starting pitchers in John Lackey, Michael Wacha, Jaime Garcia, and Lance Lynn. And again, there is still the possibility of Adam Wainwright in the bullpen.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals still have an NL Central title to clinch, with their Magic Number at six heading into tonight’s game agains the Brewers. For the second time in three years (Cardinals, Reds, and Pirates in 2013) the NL Central sends three teams to the postseason. Cardinals, Pirates, and Cubs have all clinched a playoff spot.
The Pirates won earlier today, 4-0 over the Cubs. Pittsburgh has won eight straight games and are only 2.5 games back as of right now. The Cardinals are in need of a win tonight with a three-game series in Pittsburgh looming Monday through Wednesday.