St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright injured his elbow and may require season-ending Tommy John surgery.
The right-handed pitcher injured his elbow throwing in a bullpen session. The team believes it is a “significant injury,” and he is returning to St. Louis for further examination by team doctors.
Last season, Wainwright was shut down after 20 wins from team doctor recommendations following a forearm injury from an accident in his home.
Wainwright could potentially be the most important player on the Cardinals roster. Statistically, they will not be able to replace his 20-win performance from 2010. He finished as the 2010 Cy Young Award runner-up. In 2009 he won a Gold Glove and his 19 wins, 233 innings pitched and 34 starts all led the National League.
Wainwright’s impact goes beyond the mound and over to first base. Since the team missed the deadline to complete a new contract for their star Albert Pujols, this injury could further complicate the possibility Pujols remains in a Cardinals uniform past this season.
Pujols will be a free agent at the end of this season, and if the Cardinals have a less- than-stellar season, and Pujols feels they cannot field a winning team, it could persuade him to take his talents to another team.
There are already rumors swirling he could eventually land with their rival Chicago Cubs. The Cubs would have the financial means to sign Pujols and could have a vacancy at first base after this year since Carlos Pena is only signed to a one-year deal.
Most teams losing their ace would only be looking at one down year. If the Cardinals lose Wainwright, it could mean changing the face of the entire franchise.
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