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Cardinals choose Martinez as Opening Day starter

Steve Mitchell / Reuters

Adam Wainwright's four-year reign as the Opening Day starter for the St. Louis Cardinals has come to an end.

The Cardinals will instead send Carlos Martinez to the hill against the Chicago Cubs on April 2, according to manager Mike Matheny, reports Frank Cusumano of KSDK Sports.

Martinez led the Cardinals in wins (16), ERA among qualified starters (3.04), and strikeouts (174) last season.

He's only made one appearance for the Cardinals this spring, but pitched well for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, posting a 1.13 ERA and striking out eight during eight innings of work.

Over the course of his four-year MLB career, Martinez owns a 34-21 record with a 3.32 ERA in 140 appearances, 68 of which have been starts.

Wainwright will get the start for Game 2 of the Cubs series, according to MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch.

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