Carlos Martinez, who is being accorded his best shot this spring at making the Cardinals' rotation, will start Thursday's first exhibition game here against the Miami Marlins.
Manager Mike Matheny, in making the announcement Monday morning, said that Martinez, 2-4 last year when he made seven starts among 57 appearances, would be followed by lefthander Tyler Lyons, who was 0-4 in four starts with the Cardinals but who was 8-2 at Class AAA Memphis.
Martinez and Lyons both are expected to throw two innings or between 30 and 40 pitches.