By Chris Brown – STL Baseball Today
Back on April 27, general manager John Mozeliak addressed the media concerning starter Adam Wainwright, who had just recently been diagnosed with a torn left Achilles tendon.
“As far as this year goes, he’s done,” the Cards GM said.
Less than five months later, after surgery to repair the injury, the team ace is now potentially just days away of defying the odds and returning to the mound for first place Cardinals as they push toward their fifth consecutive playoff birth.
Initially given a nine-twelve month timetable for his recovery, Wainwright has insisted from almost day one that his goal was to contribute again in 2015, saying back in early July that he would do “whatever it takes to pitch in October.”
On Monday, the three-time All-Star received word that his ambitions could turn into reality, as team doctors cleared him to resume all baseball activities after he passed all required strength tests.
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Wainwright, who’s been throwing off the mound for a few weeks, is now slated to throw a high-intensity bullpen session on Tuesday before pitching in a simulated game this weekend. If all goes well, the Cardinals would prefer to see him make at least one relief appearance before deciding on whether or not he would factor into the team’s postseason roster plans.
As for the veteran’s role upon a potential return, Mozeliak stressed to reporters on Monday that the 34-year-old would strictly be pitching in relief.
“It’s bullpen, strictly,” Mozeliak said. “There’s no chance that we could get him to start, given the time (left).”
Adam Wainwright talks with the media on Monday about being cleared for baseball related activity, (Photo via the Cardinals on Twitter)
The GM praised Wainwright’s rehab efforts, saying he “worked very diligently over the last four to five months to get back to where he is. It shows you his commitment and desire to want to be on this club and contribute to this club (in 2015).”
In just a week or two, Wainwright may very well get that wish.
“I’d never stopped working hard on trying to get back,” he said. “Luckily, so far, everything has happened perfectly.
As for Mozeliak, he seems to finally be letting himself believe a return could be possible for the Cardinals ace.
“I’ll meet him in the middle,” he said, “and I’ll smile.”
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Feature image used under Creative Commons by user Harsh1.0. No changes made. Image license.
