As promised, Carlos Quentin is in The Best Shape of His Life

Shortly after the season ended Padres outfielder Carlos Quentin vowed to get into The Best Shape of His Life in an effort to avoid the injuries that have plagued his career and guess what? He actually did it:

Hoping to stay healthy, Carlos Quentin dropped 15 lbs, hired a chef to cook inflammation-fighting food, went back to Bikram Yoga. #padres

— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) February 14, 2013

Quentin has never played more than 131 games in a season and was in the Padres’ lineup for just 86 games last year, but hit .261 with 16 homers and an .877 OPS and signed a three-year, $27 million extension in July.

On a related note, “Inflammation-Fighting Food” would be an interesting parody song idea for “Street Fighting Man” by the Rolling Stones. Just saying.

The Cardinals have placed right-hander Carlos Martinez on the 10-day disabled list with a right oblique strain, per a team announcement on Saturday. The move is retroactive to July 20. No definite timetable has been set for his return to the rotation yet, but interim manager Mike Shildt told reporters he feels confident that Martinez will only need to skip one start before taking the mound again.

Martinez, 26, sustained the injury while trying to snare a line drive during Thursday’s 9-6 loss to the Cubs. It hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for the righty this season, as he lost nearly four weeks to a right lat strain and pitched to a 5.32 ERA after returning to the Cardinals’ roster in early June. Overall, however, his numbers look a little stronger: He’s 6-6 in 17 starts with a 3.39 ERA, 4.5 BB/9 and 8.4 SO/9 through 95 2/3 innings.

In a corresponding move, right-handed reliever John Brebbia has been recalled from Triple-A Memphis. The 28-year-old Brebbia has already enjoyed three short-lived stints in the majors this season; he currently holds a cumulative 4.13 ERA, 2.2 BB/9, 9.9 SO/9 and two saves in 32 2/3 innings with the club.