Cardinals fans can now breathe a sign of relief, as rotation ace Adam Wainwright was diagnosed with an abdominal strain which is only expected to limit him completely for four or five days, general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
“If all goes well, he should be full-go probably in a couple of weeks,” said Mozeliak.
Wainwright was seen by Dr. Michael Brunt of Washington University in St. Louis after abdominal pain suffered after he injured himself returning a 45-pound weight to the rack still persisted after a few days. Both Wainwright and Mozeliak said that the pain affected the right-hander’s running but not his ability to throw.
Mozeliak expressed to reporters that this appears to be the best-case scenario for the 33-year-old:
“Based on all the different studies and what the doctor saw, (the doctor) feels this probably is the best news you could have gotten.”
Mozeliak shared that he wasn’t very concerned about Wainwright’s injury, but knew it wasn’t something to take lightly (via the Post-Dispatch):
“But, when you’re sending someone to see a specialist, it’s something you have to worry about,” he said. “In the end, I feel good about what we know and I know Adam is relieved.”
Here’s a video of Mozeliak’s update on Wainwright from the Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright would likely only require three spring starts to be ready for the start of the season, although Mozeliak said that “there’s more comfort in four or five.”
The Cards GM added that Wainwright will be able to resume throwing he he returns to camp on Friday, but said, “We can take the foot off the gas a little on the bullpen session. But based on what I’ve been told, having him continue to throw is OK.”
The Cardinals had already planned to reduce Wainwright’s workload this spring, as the veteran has thrown the most innings among pitchers in the majors over the last two seasons (519 2/3) and is coming off offseason surgery to trim cartilage in his right elbow.
Assuming he avoids any setbacks, Wainwright is still likely to take the mound on Opening Day against the new-look division-rival Chicago Cubs.
Original Story: Wainwright experiencing abdominal pain, returning to St. Louis to see specialist Thursday
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