-Ed-Mulholland-USA-TODAY-Sports-26
(New York, NY) — The St. Louis Cardinals have suffered their first big blow of the season.
Manager Oli Marmol has announced that starting pitcher Adam Wainwright will begin the season on the injured list with a groin strain. The injury occured during a weight room workout Tuesday with Team USA during the World Baseball Classic, and the 41-year-old right-hander is likely to miss several weeks.
“Typically means we’ll continue to evaluate over the next few days but no timetable (for a return) a the moment,” Marmol said. “There is a spot in the rotation now open, and we’re going to have to sit down and make sure that we’re not missing anything that goes into that.”
Baseball World Baseball Classic Opening Day
Wainwright just pitched four innings in a win over Cuba in the World Baseball Classic semifinals on Sunday.
The Cardinals ace has shown diminished velocity throughout the spring, so giving him some extra time to build up his arm strength might not be the worst thing in the world. The 17-year veteran pitched to a 3.72 ERA in 191 2/3 innings last season.
Wainwright, 41, has said this will be his final season before retiring.
Jake Woodford now figures to begin the year with a rotation spot joining Miles Mikolas, Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, and Steven Matz.
St. Louis opens the regular season at home against the Toronto Blue Jays next Thursday.
