JUPITER, Fla. • For Marco Gonzales, the Cardinals’ prospect who soared to the majors in his first season and stalled in the minors during his second, some of the most important time spent this offseason wasn’t when he put in all the work to get ready for spring training.

It was when he didn’t do anything at all.

“Really, for me it was about taking the time to let my shoulder heal,” Gonzales said Wednesday, his first day at the team’s spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla. “I really took a lot of time. I didn’t start throwing until mid- to late December. But at that time I had already had 3½ months of rest. Having that time was really key for me.”

By the time the Cardinals officially begin spring workouts for pitchers and catchers — next Thursday — Gonzales will have thrown at least four times off the mound, including at least once off the mounds at Roger Dean Stadium. The 23-year-old lefthander was limited to 19 starts last season and 83 1/3 innings because of recurring issues with his left shoulder. He felt tightness in the shoulder as early as April, rushed to return from the injury later in the middle of the season, and then surrendered to the impingement that spoiled the summer.