Cardinals welcome back 2-time All-Star Carlos Martinez from injury

The St. Louis Cardinals' pitching staff is getting a boost, as the team announced Friday that right-handed hurler Carlos Martinez has been activated from the 10-day injured list.

Martinez, a two-time All-Star, was expected to be activated ahead of Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers but was reinstated a day early.

The 27-year-old Dominican - who hasn't pitched in 2019 due to a right shoulder cuff strain - visited with the Cardinals' medical staff Thursday and passed all necessary tests, general manager Mike Girsch told MLB.com's Jen Langosch.

Martinez has pitched the majority of his career as a starter but was effective out of the Cardinals' bullpen to finish last season. The team feels he can immediately throw as many as 30 pitches, according to Langosch. Manager Mike Shildt also said Martinez will be used in a variety of roles out of the bullpen.

"You're talking about a legitimate weapon, a two-time All-Star that proved he can do the job out of the bullpen last year," Shildt explained. "He's got a lot of different weapons for both sides of the plate. And he can get the ball on the ground."

In corresponding moves, the Cardinals designated veteran reliever Luke Gregerson for assignment, recalled pitcher Ryan Helsley, and optioned right-hander Dominic Leone to Triple-A.