As if not resigning Albert Pujols to a new contract wasn’t bad enough, the St. Louis Cardinals learned on Wednesday that staff ace Adam Wainwright will probably need Tommy John surgery.
Wainwright injured his right ulnar collateral ligament Monday while throwing batting practice. He awoke from a nap later in the day experiencing discomfort and contacted team trainers that night.
Following an MRI on Wednesday, Cardinals medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta forwarded Wainwright’s MRI to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lewis Yocum.
Wainwright is expected to meet with Dr. Yocum on Thursday to receive a second opinion, but all indications point to the Cards’ ace missing all of the 2011 season and a good portion of the 2012 season.
The injury could be related to a forearm issue that led to Wainwright being sidelined in September last season according to general manager John Mozeliak.
Even with a healthy Wainwright, the Cardinals weren’t serious contenders for the NL Central division title despite what the Kool-Aid drinkers will tell you.
The Cardinals are a team that lacks speed, has an unreliable leadoff hitter, a questionable defense, a weak bench and a bullpen that’s average at best. In short, St. Louis never had much of a realistic chance to win the division.
Now that Wainwright is probably out for the season, St. Louis will be fortunate if they finish third in the division behind the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers.
Coupled with the team’s failure to sign Pujols and all of the distractions that will come with it, Wainwright’s injury has essentially closed the door on the Cardinals’ 2011 season.
