St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left oblique strain and is expected to be out for the remainder of the season.
Martinez was crushed for eight runs on nine hits over five innings Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals. He was 0-3 in five starts this season with a 9.90 ERA, one year after making all 48 of his appearances out of the bullpen and recording 24 saves.
The Cardinals were 27-26 heading into play Thursday and in possession of the automatic playoff berth that comes with a second-place division finish. But they still might be forced to make up two more regular-season games after Sunday.
Martinez, 29, is a two-time All-Star who is 58-43 with a 3.51 ERA in 258 appearances (123 starts) in eight seasons, all with the Cardinals.
To take Martinez’s place on the active roster, the club recalled right-hander Johan Oviedo.
