Adam Wainwright is set to make the rounds one last time in 2023.
This will be the two-time World Series champion’s final season in Major League Baseball.
Fans of the St. Louis Cardinals are certainly excited to have the opportunity to watch Wainwright pitch one more time.
However, there could be some cause for concern early on this spring.
Wainwright went two innings in his first spring training start, allowing one run against the Washington Nationals.
Thursday, he ran into a little bit of trouble in his start against the Houston Astros, allowing two runs and topping out at 86 mph early on.
On Twitter, a Cardinals insider pointed out a potential concern with the three-time All-Star.
Seems silly to care too much about Adam Wainwright’s velocity, but he didn’t reach 87 MPH in his first start of spring, and he topped out at 86 (only once) in the first inning today.
Did say he’s working through a hitch in his delivery.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) March 2, 2023
Firstly, it’s only spring training and there is no reason to be overly alarmed.
However, when Wainwright’s mechanics began to falter last season, his velocity dropped.
The right-hander typically tops out at roughly 89-90 MPH.
Thus far, he hasn’t gained that velocity back just yet.
Again, it’s only spring training and there is no reason to be overly alarmed.
But if he struggles with his velocity throughout spring training and doesn’t have it all the way back by the start of the regular season, there could be cause for concern.
He has allowed three runs already this afternoon, at the time of writing.
This is his last start before the World Baseball Classic.
The right-hander has been adamant that he’s still working on a hitch in his delivery.
More than likely, that is the issue, but it’s something the Cardinals should keep an eye on.
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