The St. Louis Cardinals have been without their veteran leader in Adam Wainwright since the end of March.
The 41-year-old suffered a groin injury in the weight room during the World Baseball Classic and ultimately began the 2023 season on the injured list.
However, the right-hander has been making some progress lately and is nearing a potential return.
In fact, the two-time World Series champion and three-time All-Star is set to go out on a rehab assignment.
According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Wainwright is set to make a rehab start at Double-A Springfield on Wednesday.
Goold announced the news on Twitter.
Adam Wainwright says he will make his rehab start Wednesday with Class AA Springfield. It was originally set for Tuesday but … That will allow him to increase his pitch count from his bullpen session.
Plan accordingly, S-Card fans. https://t.co/SHW7ZqYjOD
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) April 17, 2023
Wainwright has thrown a few bullpen sessions lately to try and regain his strength.
The Cardinals starting rotation has been a slight problem to start the 2023 season.
Only Jordan Montgomery has recorded a quality start, with pitchers such as Miles Mikolas, Jake Woodford, and Steven Matz all struggling.
Having Wainwright return will give St. Louis a solid veteran presence in the rotation.
The 41-year-old has announced that the 2023 season will be his final season.
The right-hander went 11-12 in 32 starts last season and posted an ERA of 3.71.
However, an uncharacteristically bad September cost him his spot in the postseason rotation.
Wainwright later attributed his struggles to a stride issue.
He has not pitched in a Major League game since October 2 of last season.
With all the time off and a chance to recover, Wainwright and the Cardinals are hoping that any lingering issues from the end of the 2022 season will be put to rest.
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