Adam Wainwright on track for St. Louis Cardinals

While the eyes of the nation are on March Madness, Spring Training still goes on for the St. Louis Cardinals with pitcher Adam Wainwright preparing to make his first start of the spring.

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The Georgia native has been delayed in making his first start due to an abdominal strain. The announcement of the start came on Tuesday following Wainwright’s three-inning performance in a simulated game. Wainwright will take the mound to face the Atlanta Braves.

“He should still be on track to get to where he needs to be early in the season,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said according to MLB.com’s Jennifer Langosch.

By starting on Saturday, Wainwright will be able to make two more starts and pitching Opening Night on normal rest. The Cardinals have not announced Wainwright as the starting pitcher when the Cardinals take on the Chicago Cubs in a few weeks. It is assumed that he will make the start against Jon Lester.

Speaking of players returning from injuries, Lance Lynn feels fine after his performance in a simulated game. Lynn left his start with a left hip flexor strain on March 8. Lynn threw three innings in a session on Wednesday and showcased his changeup pitch in doing so.

Jon Jay told reporters that Lynn’s improved changup was “filthy.” The outfielder is expected to be available when the Cardinals play the New York Mets on Friday.

“It felt as good as it has the last week or so,” Lynn said according to MLB.com’s Jennifer Langosch. “I treated it like I would a normal spring start. I knew I was fine. I knew I was healthy. I wasn’t worried about anything. I just had to get the pitches in.”

With an improved changup pitch added to Lynn’s repertoire, this Cardinals rotation will be one that other teams will be afraid to face. The fifth spot seems to be wide open between Jaime Garcia, Marco Gonzales, and Carlos Martinez.