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Associated Press 9y

Garcia scratched from start by Cardinals because of shoulder

MLB, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets

JUPITER, Fla. -- Jaime Garcia was scratched from Sunday's start by the St. Louis Cardinals because his surgically-repaired shoulder doesn't feel right, making it unlikely he will start the season on the active roster.

Garcia, who had been among three pitchers competing for the fifth starter's job, told the Cardinals on Saturday that his shoulder hadn't recovered from Tuesday's simulated game

"It's going to put a halt to Jaime being part of that competition right now," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said Sunday.

Garica won 13 games in 2010 and 2011, when he started Game 6 of the World Series against Texas, but shoulder issues limited the 28-year-old to only 16 starts over the past two seasons. Garcia has a 3.86 ERA in three spring training starts this year.

"We just gave him an opportunity," Matheny said. "Things went in a good direction, but unfortunately his health didn't allow him to continue in that direction."

Matheny didn't specify a timetable for Garcia's return to the mound.

Marco Gonzales and Carlos Martinez remain in the competition to start. Gonzales had been slated to pitch in relief Saturday but was pushed back a day to start against the New York Mets.

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