SportsFebruary 26, 2012
It's full speed ahead for Cardinals starting pitcher Wainwright
JUPITER, Fla. -- Adam Wainwright breezed past the hurdle that stopped him in his tracks last February. The St. Louis Cardinals right-hander threw batting practice during the team's first full-squad workout Friday, just a few days past the one-year anniversary of the elbow injury that sidelined him for the 2011 season. Before throwing, he knew it was close to the date, but didn't seem to mind...
By R.B. FALLSTROM ~ The Associated Press
JUPITER, Fla. -- Adam Wainwright breezed past the hurdle that stopped him in his tracks last February.
The St. Louis Cardinals right-hander threw batting practice during the team's first full-squad workout Friday, just a few days past the one-year anniversary of the elbow injury that sidelined him for the 2011 season. Before throwing, he knew it was close to the date, but didn't seem to mind.
"This gives me a chance to conquer it," Wainwright said. "This gives me a chance to get over that."
Wainwright, who won a combined 39 games in 2009 and 2010, is on track to rejoin Chris Carpenter at the top of the rotation. He said he threw with a little more intensity than his previous bullpen session and thought his pitches had more life.
"Carp was telling me to back off, but it's one of those things where I have to figure out the right time to back it off," he said. "I want to make sure that I get over all the obstacles that I may have, if I'm going to have any, before I start backing off."
Wainwright said there's been no extra soreness. He said he usually has some bicep tendinitis early in spring training but hasn't experienced that this year.
"I can already tell I'm going to feel pretty good tomorrow. I've rebounded and felt good after every throw," Wainwright said.
Veteran presence
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny is making an extra effort to reach out to the team's former players and get them involved. Outfielder Willie McGee suited up as a special instructor Friday and Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, long estranged from club functions due to tense relations with former manager Tony La Russa, also is back.
Bob Gibson and Lou Brock, too.
Matheny has emphasized that the old-timers are coming to camp to work and said McGee and Brock will tutor the running game.
"Those guys can say whatever they want to say whenever they want to say it," Matheny said. "When they come down here, they're here for a purpose, not just necessarily to give the parade wave to everybody, which is a great thing also.
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"More importantly, they're here to help our guys and to help me."
The 53-year-old McGee is close friends with Cardinals assistant hitting coach John Mabry, who made the first telephone call. He liked the idea that he wouldn't be filling a ceremonial role.
"I love the work, that's what I want to do," he said. "I want to throw a little b.p., I want to hit balls, I want to teach baserunning. Hopefully I get a chance to do that without stepping on anybody's shoes."
McGee finished his career with the Cardinals in 1999 and didn't believe he'd been to spring training since then while raising his family in California.
"I have no idea," he said jokingly. "I can't even remember where I was yesterday."
Although he appeared fit and trim, McGee had some opening-day woes.
"My legs feel like they're about 50 pounds each," he said.
Beltran's spot
Carlos Beltran moved from center field to right field last season and might stay there.
Matheny has considered playing Beltran in center if Jon Jay needs a day off or the Cardinals are facing a particularly tough left-handed pitcher. Beltran is open to whatever Matheny asks of him.
Right field was a better spot last year while he was coming off a knee injury.
"When you're in right field, if the ball isn't hit to you, you don't have to go anywhere," Beltran said. "It's less active for sure. Last year it was good for me to be able to play right field and stay fresh."
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