ANAHEIM -- Carlos Martinez, whose start last Friday came to an abrupt fourth-inning end because of fatigue, will take the mound next on Saturday, two days later than his regularly scheduled start.
Because of Monday's off-day, the Cardinals were able to manipulate their rotation order so that Martinez could have the additional time to recover from an illness that affected him in each of his previous two starts. Adam Wainwright and Michael Wacha will now start on normal rest Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Because the respiratory illness that swept through the Cardinals' clubhouse lingered with Martinez for so long, the Cardinals had him undergo a chest X-ray after Friday's 51-pitch outing. It came back normal, and Martinez was prescribed medication that he said on Tuesday seemed to have him near full health again.
"I think I will be 100 percent within the next couple of days," Martinez said. "I'm feeling better right now."
Martinez, who said he still weighs about five pounds less than he did before getting sick, began working out again on Tuesday. He is slated to throw a side session on Wednesday afternoon.
"He's just continuing to get stronger," manager Mike Matheny said. "We like where he is right now."