It’s going to be another special season for the St. Louis Cardinals.
After the farewell tour for both Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, the Cardinals will enjoy one last ride with right-hander Adam Wainwright, who is the last remaining holdover from their World Series championship teams in 2006 and 2011.
The 41-year-old announced early in the offseason that 2023 would be his final season.
He was motivated to return by a rocky September that ultimately cost him his spot in the postseason rotation.
But on the first day of spring training, he’s throwing again and looks sharp as he prepares for one final season.
Jim Hayes of Bally Sports Midwest posted a video of Wainwright throwing a bullpen session on Twitter.
Waino throws. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/cx4VyYVbHW
—Jim Hayes (@TheCatOnBallyTV) February 13, 2023
Wainwright won 11 games during the regular season in 2022 and posted a respectable 3.71 ERA.
But his uncharacteristically shaky September cast some doubt over whether he would return.
Fortunately for the Cardinals, he appears to have corrected his issue and looks like the dominant pitcher he’s been for the vast majority of his career.
It was a come-backer off the knee that caused his stride length to shorten without him even noticing it, which caused a dip in his velocity.
But after seemingly correcting the issue, he’ll be on the mound for Opening Day at Busch Stadium on March 30.
Cardinals fans will be excited to have him around for one more season and are hopeful that he can return to form as he looks to close out a legendary career on a positive note.
NEXT:
Willson Contreras Is Ready To Begin His Cardinals Career
