Manager Mike Shildt announced the move Tuesday morning, saying it’s precautionary.
"His strength and his ability to make sure he can move forward, and looking at the longer view of our season, we are going to back him off for two weeks," Shildt said, describing Martinez's next two weeks as "no-throw" and instead, strength mode.
Shildt also stated the the MRI performed on Martinez's shoulder Monday showed no structural difference in his shoulder since 2016.
"Here's the thing that blows my mind, his baseline for his strength and what it looks like for his shoulder stability, from 2016 imaging to now, has not changed, which is amazing to me," Shildt says. "The structure of his shoulder is in amazingly good shape. We just have to make sure we have some of the little muscles that are continuing to be strengthened to allow the workload and the capacity so we don't have an interruption like we did last year."
Martinez spoke with media Tuesday afternoon, reiterating what Shildt said earlier in the day – it's just a precaution.
Shildt says that while the plan changes the "timing" of where Martinez will be, it isn't clear how it could impact his role. The Cardinals have not yet made their decision public on if Martinez will be used as a starter or come out of the bullpen in 2019. The manager pointed out that they have said "everything is on the table from Day 1" for Martinez this spring and beyond.
"It's taking the long-view of what it looks like to keep him being able to be productive throughout a long season. And, based on what that looks like, workload will be determined."
In more starting pitcher-related news, Shildt annouced Jack Flaherty and Miles Mikolas will pitch in Saturday's game to start Grapefruit League play. Then Michael Wacha and Daniel Ponce de Leon will pitch in Sunday's game.