JUPITER, Fla. • As he prepared this winter for what he hopes will be a defining increase of workload in the near future, new Cardinals starter Mike Leake looked to the past.

“I’m talking 50 years ago, 30 years ago when players had their second jobs and took time off and didn’t bust butt in the offseason,” Leake said. “They busted butt once they got to spring. That’s kind of what I’m experimenting with — trying to go back to that age-old, where two months is plenty of time to get (an arm) ready for seven, eight months of a season. I’m not worried it’s going to be something drastic. I think I’ll see the benefit.”

For the first time since signing his five-year, $80 million deal with the Cardinals, Leake will take the field in full uniform, birds on bat, Thursday as the defending National League Central champions officially begin spring training. Pitchers and catchers reported to the Roger Dean Stadium area Wednesday, and the first formal workout of spring is Thursday morning at the Cardinals’ complex.

Leake will be one of 33 pitchers in major-league camp — a larger number than usual because the Cardinals, like Leake, believe fewer innings now for their starters could mean more innings when they matter.