Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright could miss Opening Day start
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright could have his season debut delayed due to an abdominal stain he sustained on Monday, according to the Associated Press.
Wainwright is expected to start on Opening Day on April 5 against the Chicago Cubs, however manager Mike Matheny said the pitcher could get pushed back a couple days if he doesn't show necessary improvement in time.
"That's always an option," Matheny said Friday. "We just have to see where we are and what it looks like, too."
[daily_cut.MLB]
• Adam Wainwright gets gateside BBQ at the St. Louis airport
Wainwright will not start an exhibition game until mid-March due to the strain. St. Louis was already planning on limiting the 33-year-old during spring training, however Wainwright said he needs three, preferably four starts to be ready for the season, according to the AP.
"Everything that I've heard is that in four or five days I should feel dramatically better and they can start kind of bringing me along slow to get back into a normal daily routine," Wainwright said.
• VERDUCCI: Hamilton poses key test for new commissioner Manfred
Wainwright has spent his entire nine-year career with the Cardinals. Last season he went 20-9 with a 2.38 ERA and 1.031 WHIP. He has been named an All-Star in each of the last two seasons and has five combined shutouts in that span.
- Molly Geary
