Jupiter, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jaime Garcia will start the season on the 15-day disabled list because of continuing left shoulder issues.
The DL move is retroactive to March 27.
Garcia had surgery for a torn labrum in May 2013 and had his 2014 campaign cut short in June before undergoing thoracic outlet surgery for his left shoulder a month later.
The 28-year-old lefty threw a simulated game last week and reported shoulder fatigue. He pitched in three games earlier this spring, allowing four runs on 10 hits in 9 1/3 innings.
Garcia has made just 16 starts the last two seasons because of injuries. He was 3-1 with a 4.12 ERA in seven outings last year.
In 106 games, including 97 starts, since his debut in 2008, Garcia has a record of 42-26 with a 3.50 ERA. He was a 13-game winner for the Cardinals in each of the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
The Cardinals purchased the contract of pitcher Carlos Villanueva, who signed a minor league deal with the team in February. The right-hander was 5-7 with a 4.64 ERA in 42 games, five of which were starts, last season for the Chicago Cubs.
Over nine seasons with the Brewers, Blue Jays and Cubs, Villanueva is 45-50 with a 4.26 ERA, appearing in 390 games, including 76 starts.
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