JUPITER, Fla. — Adam Wainwright continues to hold out hope of starting the April 5 opener against the Cubs at Chicago, though he has yet to pitch in an exhibition game this spring.
The right-hander continued his recovery from a strained abdominal muscle Thursday by throwing 40 pitches in two simulated innings. It was the second time in four days that he threw live batting practice.
“It’s a good test,” Wainwright said. “I love seeing hitters. They tell you what your stuff needs to do. Today, the goal was to try and start honing in some of those pitches. I did on about 80 percent of them. And I threw some really bad pitches that got hit.”
Wainwright won’t be cleared to pitch in an exhibition game, until he is able to run and take part in fielding practice. Wainwright is hoping to reach that stage by the beginning of next week.
“I want to be out there taking grounders and running station to station and leading groups and doing all that, too,” Wainwright said.
If Wainwright keeps progressing, he should have enough time to make three Grapefruit League starts. The veteran believes that will allow hum time to build enough arm strength to pitch in a regular-season game.
To get to that point, Wainwright would need to be ready to pitch in a game by the end of next week.
“I would never say ‘no, I’m not ready, under any circumstance,’” Wainwright said. “I always want the ball. I always want to be out there. I want to pitch in the opener. I want to be that guy.”
Wainwright, 33, went 20-9 with a 2.27 ERA in 32 starts last season as he helped the Cardinals win the National League Central. He also led the NL with three shutouts.