By Chris Brown – STL Baseball Today

Nine to twelve months. That’s how long it usually takes baseball players to rehab from a torn Achilles tendon.

Adam Wainwright is trying to do it in six.

The three-time All-Star and Cardinal ace told KMOV’s Brian Feldman at the Pujols Family Foundation Golf Tournament on Monday that despite tearing his left Achilles tendon in late April, his goal is to return to the mound before the end of the 2015 season.

“You can’t stop being who you are right? I’m going to push as hard as I can without being silly.  I’m going to push as hard as I can and try to get back for this team this season.  If not, at least I know I tried everything I could,” Wainwright said.

Although he understands that pitching in again this year is a long shot, Wainwright told MLB.com reporter David Cobb, “I’ll do whatever it takes to pitch in October. That’s the deal.”

The 33-year-old also discussed his injury and how’s the nature of it has been particularly challenging.

“I feel completely normal at all times. It’s a really strange injury … as far as pain is concerned. I have had zero pain the entire process, and each day, my range of motion is getting better and better. My strength is getting better and my poor little, tired, sad calf in my left leg is starting to get some strength back, so we’re just getting better every day.”

“It pains me knowing my arm is healthy and I’m not playing baseball which doesn’t really make sense to me.  When you’re a pitcher you don’t really think about leg injuries.  It happens to some people but it just catches you off guard.”

Initially considered a potentially devastating blow for the Cardinals rotation, the Wainwright injury hasn’t rattled the pitching staff a bit. The club has the best ERA in baseball and is 39-20 since losing Wainwright.

“They even got better without me,” Wainwright joked.

Read More: KMOV, Cardinals.com

 

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