JUPITER, Fla. -- What seemed to be a mostly manufactured competition for rotation spots when Cardinals camp began has become a wide-open opportunity for one of five pitchers to snatch a job that Carlos Martinez won’t be ready to seize when the season begins next month.

Three of those candidates -- Dakota Hudson, Austin Gomber and Daniel Ponce de Leon -- enhanced their spring-long audition on Wednesday, with Hudson and Gomber throwing two scoreless innings apiece in a 4-0 loss to the Braves and Ponce de Leon getting his work in during a session of live batting practice.

All three took the mound with a specific purpose, as well.

Hudson, the Cardinals' No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline and the reigning Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year, showcased a more expansive repertoire than the one he needed while pitching in relief for the Cardinals last year. He threw plenty of sinkers, yes, but he also showed the work he’s doing to refine a slider, develop a changeup and grow more comfortable elevating his fastball.

It was homework assigned to him in mid-December after pitching coach Mike Maddux phoned Hudson to let him know he’d get a look as a starter in camp.

“It means a lot,” Hudson said of the opportunity. “I have thrown in almost any situation as a big leaguer besides starting, but I felt like that’s where I had the most experience. I feel like that’s a lot of confidence they’re putting into me to go out there and do that.”

By retiring the first six batters on 18 pitches, Hudson was able to turn the game over to Gomber in an ideal spot. Two of the first three batters to face Gomber hit from the left side, which offered the lefty an opportunity to challenge them with the slider he has been developing with the help of new teammate Andrew Miller.

Gomber struck out Raffy Lopez looking and Greyson Jenista swinging on the pitch.

“Really just trying to be better against left-handed hitters,” said Gomber, who allowed a .289/.333/.411 slash line to left-handers last year. “Starter, reliever, you’re going to have to face [Christian] Yelich, [Anthony] Rizzo, [Joey] Votto at some point. We’re kind of gearing what we’re doing this year toward getting those guys out, whether it be three times a game or one time a game.”

As for Ponce de Leon, his desire to spend time working on his curveball led him to the back fields earlier in the day. It was a setting that allowed the right-hander to focus on the pitch in a more controlled environment.

Ponce de Leon had allowed three runs on three hits over two-thirds of an inning in his spring debut on Sunday.

“I’m really thrilled that guys are going out with a plan and attacking what they’re trying to accomplish,” said manager Mike Shildt, who also considers John Gant and top prospect Alex Reyes candidates for the open rotation job. “We’re not asking guys to do things they can’t do. We’re not trying to push a rope. We’re working within the parameters of what they can do.”

Pitching plans

After placing pitchers Jordan Hicks, Miller and Reyes on slightly slowed spring throwing programs, the Cardinals are set to include all three in their Grapefruit League plans by the end of next week.

Hicks will be up first, as he’s scheduled to throw an inning in Thursday’s home game against the Mets.

Miller threw a side session on Wednesday and is tentatively scheduled to make his organization debut during the team’s three-day road trip through Lakeland, Clearwater and Tampa next week.

Reyes’ first appearance is likely to come soon after. The rehabbing right-hander threw his second session of live BP on Monday and is slated to do so again later in the week. If all goes well, that’s expected to be his final step before receiving clearance for game action.

Worth noting

Fresh off signing a four-year, $68 million extension, Miles Mikolas will make his second start of the spring when the Cardinals host the Mets at Roger Dean Stadium on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. CT. If efficient enough, Mikolas will likely stretch out to cover the first three innings. He’s set to be followed by Jack Flaherty, Genesis Cabrera, Hicks and Mike Mayers.