Cards' Martinez scratched, throws sim game

Martinez strikes out Borenstein JUPITER, Fla -- On an afternoon in which Carlos Martinez was scheduled to make his second spring start, the Cardinals' ace threw a simulated game to Minor League hitters on the backfields at the team's Roger Dean complex instead. Bud Norris started in place of Martinez, who left camp early for what Cards manager Mike Matheny called "a personal matter."

Neither Matheny, Martinez nor other Cardinals officials elaborated on why Martinez was scratched, though it isn't expected to be physical.

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Matheny clarified that Martinez would leave camp to return to his residence near the team's complex in Jupiter, not to St. Louis or his offseason home…