Wainwright (groin) threw a bullpen session Monday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals' medical staff will take a look at Wainwright following the throwing session before it's determined when he might be able to start a rehab assignment. The veteran right-hander is working his way back from a groin strain which he suffered shortly before Opening Day. Jake Woodford is filling Wainwright's spot in the St. Louis rotation.

Wainwright (groin) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright is projected to miss the first month of the 2023 regular season because of a groin strain that he suffered during a workout with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Miles Mikolas is taking the ball for the Cardinals on Opening Day.

Wainwright (groin) has played catch from 120 feet as part of his throwing program, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals are still formulating a plan for Wainwright to get back to other baseball activities as he works his way back from a groin strain. A rough initial timetable has called for him to miss several weeks, so he might be absent for most, if not all, of April.

Wainwright was diagnosed with a groin strain Thursday will begin the season on the injured list, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright suffered the injury Tuesday during a workout with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. The injury is expected to sideline him for "several weeks," Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol told John Denton of MLB.com. Jake Woodford is likely to be Wainwright's rotation replacement.

Wainwright will start Sunday's semifinal game for Team USA against Team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright started the first game of the WBC for Team USA against Great Britain, and allowed one run over his four innings of work. A victory for USA would see the team advance to the finals of the tournament for the second straight appearance, with the winner facing the victor of the semifinal game between Mexico and Japan.

Wainwright will start for Team USA in their World Baseball Classic opener Saturday against Team Great Britain, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

This could wind up being an interesting test for the 41-year-old right-hander after he struggled to even reach 87 mph with his fastball during his two Grapefruit League starts for the Cardinals. Wainwright blamed the lack of velocity on some minor muscle issues in his lower back and upper legs. He registered a 3.71 ERA and 143:54 K:BB across 191.2 regular-season innings for St. Louis in 2022.

Wainwright said Thursday that he's been dealing with a muscle issue around his lower back, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright noted that he came down with back spasms just before he arrived at Cardinals camp in Florida last month and is still trying to get certain muscles to engage in that area. He also recently suffered a burn on the index finger of his right hand, and it opened up during another rough Grapefruit League start Thursday afternoon against the Astros. The 41-year-old had trouble even topping 85 mph with his fastball toward the end of that outing versus Houston. It's all somewhat concerning, but Wainwright remains committed to pitching for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Wainwright acknowledged last week that he's been working through a hitch in his delivery, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

That might help to explain why Wainwright's fastball has been sitting in the mid-80s so far in Grapefruit League play. In his second spring start Thursday afternoon against the Astros, the 41-year-old right-hander gave up three runs on five hits over three innings, and four batted-balls were clocked at over 104 mph. His next appearance on the mound will be with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Maybe the elevated level of competition can bring out a little more heat.

Wainwright agreed to a one-year, $17.5 million contract with the Cardinals on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 41-year-old informed the organization earlier this week he plans to continue his career in 2023, and it didn't take long for the two sides to comes to terms. Wainwright finished the campaign with a 3.71 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 143:54 K:BB over 191.2 innings, though he dealt with some timing issues in his pitching motion down the stretch and surrendered 23 runs across six starts in September and October. The right-hander will attempt to right the ship ahead of spring training as he enters his 18th MLB season.

Wainwright informed the Cardinals on Wednesday that he intends to return to the team for another season in 2023, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

After being rumored to be set for retirement following the 2022 campaign, Wainwright looks poised to stick around for his 19th season in St. Louis. He's scheduled for free agency this winter, but the two sides are likely to come to terms quickly on a new deal. The right-hander struggled down the stretch during the 2022 season, but he produced a solid 3.71 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 143 strikeouts over 191.2 frames in 32 starts. Following St. Louis' early postseason exit, the 41-year-old noted in a post on his personal Twitter account that he had been suffering from some timing issues in his pitching motion for a while, which could explain his shakiness late in the year. Wainwright ranks second in franchise history for starting pitchers with a 42.4 WAR and his 195 career wins place him third behind Bob Gibson and Jesse Haines on the Cardinals' all-time leaderboard.