ST. LOUIS — With hard-throwing closer Jordan Hicks now set to have Tommy John surgery, the Cardinals need a new ninth inning man.
According to John Mozeliak, Mike Shildt and the club have tabbed Carlos Martinez to be that man.
Mozeliak updated reporters on Hicks' status and confirmed Martinez would be sliding into his role on Tuesday before that Cardinals began a series with the Athletics.
Mozeliak did say that stretching Martinez out, even as the acting closer, would be something the team would still look at.
"I would say that we were trying to stretch him out, and I still wouldn't rule that out even in this role," Mozeliak said. "As you look to next year if we want to consider him to be in a starting role, to gain some innings this year even if it's eighth and ninth or ninth and tenth it's something we have to consider."
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Martinez has an ERA of 3.00 in 15 innings pitched this year, all out of the bullpen. He also has two saves already this season, so he's not unfamiliar to closing games out.
For his career, Martinez has a 3.40 ERA as a reliever, compared to a 3.36 ERA as a starter. He has nine saves in his career as well.
