PT TOMORROW: NL Central—Jaime Garcia closing in on fifth starter spot?

St. Louis Cardinals

The competition for the fifth starter spot is ongoing, as all three candidates are healthy and pitching well this spring.  Jaime García (LHP, STL) has 13 strikeouts in 9.1 innings, and continues to build up his pitch count, as he threw 80 pitches in a simulated game March 23. He displays excellent skills when he's on the mound, but he's only made 36 starts over the past three seasons due to shoulder woes. It's highly unlikely that Garcia makes it through a full season unscathed, but on a minimal investment, he could provide plenty of value until then if he earns a rotation spot.

Carlos Martínez (RHP, STL) has allowed six earned runs in 11 innings of work, but tossed three shutout innings March 20, and has a 10:3...

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