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Thursday, November 12, 2026Nov 12

Cardinals shutting down Martinez with shoulder injury

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez covers his face as he leaves the field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, in St. Louis. Martinez was removed with an apparent injury after throwing seven pitches. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez covers his face as he leaves the field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, in St. Louis. Martinez was removed with an apparent injury after throwing seven pitches. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez covers his face as he leaves the field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, in St. Louis. Martinez was removed with an apparent injury after throwing seven pitches. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

ST. LOUIS (AP) – St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez has been shut down for the rest of the season and the postseason with a shoulder strain.

The 14-game winner lasted just seven pitches Friday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.

General manager John Mozeliak said an MRI showed the damage. Rest rather than surgery was prescribed with a recovery time of between one and two months.

Mozeliak said if the injury occurred on Aug. 1, the 24-year-old right-hander potentially could have pitched in the postseason.

The Cardinals have a strong rotation even without Martinez, with Lance Lynn likely to get a starting spot behind John Lackey, Michael Wacha and Jaime Garcia if St. Louis reaches the Division Series.