Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright in IL likely out ‘several weeks’

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright will likely miss “several weeks” after sustaining a sprained groin during the World Baseball Classic, manager Oliver Marmol told reporters Thursday.

Wainwright, 41, who was slated to be the Cardinals’ opening day starter as he enters his 18th season with St. Louis, will start the season on the injured list, Marmol said.

The injury occurred while training in the weight room on Tuesday with Team USA at the World Baseball Classic.

Wainwright has thrown 15 innings this spring — seven in Grapefruit League action and eight more in WBC. He pitched last Sunday in Team USA’s semifinal victory over Cuba, allowing just one run in four innings while earning his second win in two tournament starts.

He decided to return for another season with the Cardinals after going 11-12 with a 3.71 ERA in 32 starts in 2022. It was his first losing season in which he made at least 20 starts.

Wainwright, who said he would retire after the season, needs five wins to reach 200 for his career. He is 15 behind Jesse Haines for the second most wins in franchise history; Bob Gibson is the leader with 251.

Jake Woodford is the leading candidate to take Wainwright’s spot in the starting rotation.

Right-handed reliever Wilking Rodriguez, who joined the Cardinals as a rule 5 pick from the New York Yankees, has a sore shoulder and will also start the season on the injured list, Marmol said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.