SAN DIEGO _ A right lat strain has landed Cardinals ace Carlos Martinez on the 10-day disabled list, the Cardinals announced Thursday before their game against the Padres in San Diego.
Right-hander Mike Mayers has been recalled from Class AAA Memphis.
The absence of Martinez means the Cardinals will reshuffle the rotation in the coming days and it puts a brighter spotlight on their plan for Adam Wainwright (elbow). The Cardinals had Wainwright scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday at Petco Park, and then a determination will be made on whether his next start will be in the majors or with one of the Cardinals' affiliates as he continues a rehab assignment.
A strong bullpen could set him up to start Tuesday in Minnesota.
The Cardinals do not have a starter announced for Sunday against San Diego, though John Gant remains with the team and would be on turn for that day.
Miles Mikolas, the announced starter for Thursday night's game at Petco Park, would also be available on normal rest Tuesday in the Twin Cities.
Another possibility for the Cardinals is Jack Flaherty. Already this season, the Cardinals have twice called on Flaherty to make a spot start in the majors, and each time, upon returning to the Class AAA rotation, he's shown why he's ready for the majors. On Wednesday night, Flaherty struck out 13 in 62/3 innings. The right-hander did not walk a batter. He would be available to start Tuesday in Minnesota as well, if the Cardinals want to move Wainwright up to Sunday or think he needs to go back down for a rehab start.
The off day Monday allows for some significant flexibility after this four-game series in San Diego.
Martinez was not scheduled to pitch in the series.
It is possible that he will miss one scheduled start while on the 10-day DL. Martinez will be eligible to come off the DL during the Cardinals' next home series, against Philadelphia. That would also be the next time the Cardinals need a five-man rotation and could slide him back into the rotation in the same spot he was.
Martinez's trip to the DL is retroactive to May 9, the day after his last start in a 7-1 loss to the Twins at Busch Stadium. Martinez allowed two earned runs in five innings, walking three and striking out two.
Through eight starts (50 innings) this season Martinez is 3-2 with a National-League-leading 1.62 ERA. His six quality starts lead the club. Same for his 47 strikeouts.
At the same time, the Cardinals have Alex Reyes prepping for his second rehab start. The prospect, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, impressed in his start Wednesday for High-A Palm Beach. The Cardinals have him penciled in for a start Monday at Low-A Peoria, and then he will begin ascending through the affiliates. The earliest he can return to the majors will be May 28, at which time the Cardinals intend to consider him for a start or use him as a multi-inning reliever, depending on need.
