Chris Perez has become the second rookie right hander to take over closing duties down the stretch, the other was Adam Wainwright, and he has done a marvelous job so far even if he hasn't officially been named the closer, according to MLB.com. "I'm in there in the ninth with the game on the line. That's pretty much what a closer does. It doesn't matter to me if [manager Tony La Russa] comes out and says it or not."Perez has more than a K per inning (34 in 33), though he could stand to reduce his 4.64 BB/9 mark. Still, he has done a solid job converting 6-of-8 chances so far and appears the favorite to continue to pick up saves in the Cards pen.

The Associated Press reports St. Louis Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright said Milwaukee Brewers RP Carlos Villanueva's celebration facing the Cardinals dugout, after getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning, woke the team up. The Cardinals were down 3-1 and scored four runs in the eighth inning to win 5-3. "When you start pointing to the dugout and saying all the things that he was saying, a guy that respects the game like I myself, I didn't appreciate it and I had to let him know," Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols said. "I guess he did us a favor. He woke up a sleeping giant."

Adam Wainwright allowed three runs, two earned, and threw 89 pitches in his second start coming off the 15-day disabled list from a finger injury that sidelined him for two months.Wainwright looks to have regained his early season form. He is once again a must start in all fantasy leagues.

Adam Wainwright yielded three runs -- two earned -- in six innings Wednesday against the Brewers. Wainwright took a no-decision in his second start back from the DL, but he was effective once again. With the way Chris Perez has stepped up, it looks like the Cardinals clearly made the right decision in bringing Wainwright back as a starter. Had Chris Carpenter not gotten hurt, Wainwright would probably be closing right now.

Adam Wainwright allowed three runs, two earned, and threw 89 pitches in his second start coming off the 15-day disabled list from a finger injury that sidelined him for two months.Wainwright shows great signs of regaining his early season form. He is once again a must start in all fantasy leagues.

Wainwright continues to impress since his long-awaited return from the disabled list, as he held the Braves to one run over six frames with four strikeouts in his first game back on Aug. 22. He'll look to keep it up when he faces the Diamondbacks at cozy Chase Field next.

News: Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright allowed three runs -- two earned -- on eight hits over six innings on Wednesday but picked up a no decision against the Brewers. He walked none and had two strikeouts.

Analysis: Wainwright pitches twice in Fantasy Week 23 (Sept. 1-7) at Arizona on Monday and later against the Marlins. He's 4-1 in his last six outings and has become a reliable pitcher in most Fantasy leagues. He should be active in the majority of them next week

R.B. Fallstrom, of The Associated Press, reports St. Louis Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright (finger) gave up three runs (two earned) and threw 89 pitches in his second start Wednesday, Aug. 27, since coming off the disabled list.

MLB.com reports St. Louis Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright (7-3, 3.04 ERA) will start Wednesday, Aug. 27, against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Tonight will be Adam Wainwright's second start since coming off the DL with a sprained middle finger. In his first start Wainwright went six innings, struck out four, gave up one run and got the win against the Braves. If the Cardinals want to stay in the chase for the NL Wild Card they need Wainwright in top form.Wainwright is a must start in every fantasy league. He has gone at least five innings in every start this season and has lowered his ERA th 3.04.

Tonight will be Adam Wainwright second start since coming off the DL with a sprained middle finger. In his first start Wainwright went six innings, struck out four, gave up one run and got the win against the Braves. If the Cardinals want to stay in the chase for the NL Wild Card they need Wainwright in top form.Wainwright is a must start in every fantasy league. He has gone at least five innings in every start this season and has lowered his ERA th 3.04.

Joel Pineiro will return to the Cardinals rotation next Monday after making one relief appearance, according to MLB.com. He was bumped to the bullpen because Adam Wainwright returned and the team had numerous days off.Pineiro could be headed back to the bullpen eventually if Chris Carpenter comes back, but his status is up in the air.

News: Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright worked six dominant innings in his first start since early June to beat the visiting Braves on Friday. He had been out with a sprained middle finger on his right hand. The right-hander, who successfully lobbied against a fourth rehab stint earlier in the week, allowed one run on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk. "It was more than we should have expected, as far as command," manager Tony La Russa said. "It's hard to believe he could have been that sharp with that much time missed."

Analysis: The Cardinals wanted to make this guy their closer? Puh-lease. Wainwright's Fantasy owners can rejoice that the team came to its senses because the right-hander has the potential to serve as a No. 2 Fantasy SP. He sure looked like one before the injury. Put in a claim for him if someone dropped him in your league. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday against the Brewers

Adam Wainwright was activated from the DL on Friday August 22.

An impressive return for Wainwright, who hadn't pitched since June 8 because of a ruptured tendon in his right middle finger. He showed no lingering effects of the injury, throwing 47 of his 72 pitches for strikes and pitching deeper into the game than the Cardinals coaching staff had anticipated. The imposing righty has only given up more than four earned runs twice in 14 starts this year. Look for him to build on Friday's outing when he takes the hill next, scheduled for Aug. 27 vs. the Brew Crew.

R.B. Fallstrom, of The Associated Press, reports the St. Louis Cardinals activated SP Adam Wainwright (finger) from the disabled list Friday, Aug. 22.

R.B. Fallstrom, of The Associated Press, reports St. Louis Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright (finger) pitched six solid innings Friday, Aug. 22, in his first start since returning from the disabled list. He also had a career-high three hits and an RBI in the game. Wainwright gave up five hits while striking out four and walking one. He is 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in six career appearances against the Atlanta Braves.

Adam Wainwright came off the DL and proceeded to go six innings, surrendering just one run to the Braves while striking out four. He also contributed at the plate by going 3-for-5 in the Cardinals 18-3 demolition of the Braves.It is safe to assume that Wainwright will stay in the rotation. He looked very sharp, and one of his four strikeouts was a called third strike to Chipper Jones. Feel safe leaving him in your fantasy rotation.

In his return from the disabled list, Adam Wainwright limited the Braves to one earned run on five hits and lasted six innings. Wainwright opened the game with a shaky first inning, issuing a walk and a single before forcing two pop-ups. He came back firing in the second and didn't look back. The Cardinals' ace for the early part of this season needed just 72 pitches. He lowered his ERA to 3.04 and improved his record to 7-3. With a looser leash, we're expecting big things from him against the Astros next weekend.

Wainwright threw a successful bullpen session on Tuesday, showing the Cardinals coaching staff enough to convince them he¿s worthy of a spot in the starting rotation. Wainwright, who is recovering from a finger injury on his throwing hand, is expected to be on a limited pitch count as he builds up his strength and stamina. It might be best to give Wainwright a start to show how close he is to 100 percent before starting him.

Robert Falkoff, of MLB.com, reports St. Louis Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright (finger) will start Friday, Aug. 22, against the Atlanta Braves, according to manager Tony La Russa. However, his role as a starter is not certain with the return of SP Chris Carpenter (shoulder) pending. Wainwright could be asked to pitch in relief when Carpenter returns to the team.

Adam Wainwright will start for the Cardinals on Friday. He's been on the disabled list since early June with a ruptured tendon in the middle finger of his right hand, and the Cardinals have decided to use him in their rotation. "I expect to go out and compete and do very well just like I would before I got hurt," Wainwright said. "I feel the same — I feel maybe stronger."

News: The St. Louis Cardinals decided to plug Adam Wainwright into their rotation instead of as the fill-in closer, and will give him a start on Friday against the Atlanta Braves. Wainwright bumps Joel Pineiro, who had been on track to make the start on Friday. Manager Tony La Russa said Pineiro, who is 3-0 in August and 6-5 overall with a 4.80 ERA, would be used in long relief if necessary on Friday.

Analysis: Wainwright, the opening-day starter, has been on the 15-day disabled list since early June with a ruptured tendon on the middle finger of his right hand. He threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his third rehab start last week and on Monday said he was ready to pitch in the majors. Consider adding Wainwright as a potential Fantasy sleeper down the stretch. He was 6-3 with a 3.14 ERA before exiting the lineup and filled the part of Cardinals' ace

Adam Wainwright will be activated from the DL and start on Friday against the Braves, according to the FSN Midwest telecast. Manager Tony La Russa said that this doesn't necessarily mean Wainwright will be coming back permanently as a starter and that they will continue to evaluate their options.Joel Pineiro will be used in relief if need be. Whether or not Wainwright stays in the rotation or Pineiro stays in relief could depend on Chris Carpenter's status.

Adam Wainwright (finger) said Tuesday that he's ready to return from the disabled list and would like to rejoin the Cardinals' rotation as soon as Friday. Wainwright threw a bullpen session Tuesday and said that he'd prefer to return as a starter, although his role remains up in the air depending on Chris Carpenter's status. "If they told me that I’m starting tomorrow, I’d feel ready except for that I just threw a side [session]," Wainwright said. "I’m ready to face hitters in the big leagues. I know I can get guys out now. It’s frustrating to know I’m ready to pitch and I don’t have a role, but they’ll let me know as soon as they can."Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

Robert Falkoff, of MLB.com, reports St. Louis Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright (finger) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Aug. 19, and declared himself ready to pitch again. He said he would rather return to the team as a starter, but will accept whatever role the team gives him.

Adam Wainwright is ready to face big league hitters, though whether he will come back as a reliever or as a starter is not yet resolved, according to MLB.com.Wainwright said he would prefer to make his return as a starter, but will embrace whatever role the Cardinals decide he should take. There has been talk that Wainwright's role for the stretch run is tied to the status of right-hander Chris Carpenter -- out with a shoulder strain -- who came through a toss session in good shape on Tuesday. But manager Tony La Russa made the point that the Carpenter-Wainwright scenario isn't necessarily a package deal. Because of a schedule that includes two off-days this week and two more next week, the Cardinals have some flexibility in how they assemble their rotation for the near future. Wainwright just hopes to know soon which way the Cardinals want to go with him.

Cardinals.MLB.com's Matthew Leach reports St. Louis Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright's (finger) role hinges on the availability of SP Chris Carpenter (shoulder). If Carpenter is expected to miss much more than the 15 days on the disabled list, Wainwright will start. Otherwise, he'll likely be a reliever. "It's unlikely (both will start)," pitching coach Dave Duncan said. "I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but it's unlikely."

Adam Wainwright's role with the team will be in part determined by how Chris Carpenter fares in his throwing today, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. If Carpenter feels good, Wainwright will probably come back as a reliever, otherwise he could resume his role as a starter.The problem for fantasy owners is if Wainwright does return as a reliever, it won't necessarily be as a closer. Rookie Chris Perez has been strong in that role, so Wainwright could come back in long relief, which diminishes his value.

Joe Strauss, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright (finger) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Aug. 19. Manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan will meet with Wainwright on Tuesday to discuss his role when he returns. Wainwright could be asked to make a fourth rehab start during the team's upcoming home stand.

News: The Sports Xchange reports that Cardinals SP/RP Adam Wainwright threw 64 pitches in working 4 2/3 scoreless innings in a rehabilitation start for Class AA Springfield Saturday night. Wainwright experienced no discomfort with the sprained middle finger on his right hand and it is expected that Wainwright will be taken off the disabled list by next weekend.

Analysis: It's still not clear whether Wainwright will be a closer or a starter when he gets back up with the Cardinals, but he's definitely worth picking up in deeper mixed leagues right now simply because of his potential. He could be back for Fantasy Week 22 (Aug. 25-31)

Updating previous reports, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Joe Strauss reports St. Louis Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright's (finger) role when he returns is still undetermined. He could return by the weekend.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Joe Strauss reports St. Louis Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright (finger) struck out seven in 4 2/3 shutout innings at Double-A Springfield Saturday, Aug. 16.

Wainwright was brilliant Saturday, fanning seven over 4 2/3 scoreless innings of work. It remains possible that he could start sometime during next weekend's series with the Braves, but he may also still be used in a relief role upon his activation. The latter option would be likely if Carpenter can return soon, whereas the former would occur if Carpenter needs more than the required 15 days to heal. Wainwright will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, the same day that Carpenter is scheduled to throw off flat ground. Stay tuned.

Adam Wainwright said he is ready for whatever role the Cardinals have planned for him as he felt good after his rehab outing with Double-A Springfield Saturday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He has been rehabbing a severely sprained right middle finger and said, "I feel like I'm ready, for sure. Eighty pitches would be no problem. Eighty-five would be no problem. I'm ready for that. I just have to wait and see what role I'm in." He hurled 4.2 scoreless innings Saturday, and threw 64 pitches with seven strikeouts. The hitches in his delivery from his previous outing were also corrected.Saturday's outing could be his last before returning to the Cardinals. The team is yet to indicate what role he will hold. He was being prepped to work out of the pen as a reliever, but that was before they lost Chris Carpenter.

Adam Wainwright said he is ready for whatever role the Cardinals have planned for him as he felt good after his rehab outing with Double-A Springfield Saturday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He has been rehabbing a severely right middle finger and said, "I feel like I'm ready, for sure. Eighty pitches would be no problem in the next start). Eighty-five would be no problem. I'm ready for that. I just have to wait and see what role I'm in." He hurles 4.2 scoreless innings Saturday, and threw 64 pitches with seven strikeouts. The hitches in his delivery from his previous outing were also corrected.Saturday's outing could be his last before returning to the Cardinals. The team is yet to indicate what role he will hold. He was being prepped to work out of the pen as a reliever, but that was before they lost Chris Carpenter.

Adam Wainwright pitched 4 2/3 shutout innings in his third rehab start on Saturday night. He allowed three hits, struck out seven batters and didn't surrender a walk while throwing 43 of his 64 pitches for strikes. Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan said that if Wainwright's start went well his next appearance might be for the Cardinals, so Wainwright could return to St. Louis on Friday.Source: Cardinals.mlb.com

Wainwright, who continues to battle back from an injury to the pulley tendon in his right middle finger, will have to experience absolutely no issues during the appearance in order to return to the Cardinals. "He's got to feel like he can come up here and compete and be successful," said Duncan. "Not an 'if.' He's got to be executing, making good quality pitches, [feeling] good about his breaking ball and [feeling] comfortable physically." It remains unclear what role Wainwright will assume when he does return, as he was slated to pitch out of the bullpen until Chris Carpenter landed on the DL this past week. Stay tuned.

News: St. Louis right-hander Adam Wainwright (finger sprain) will start for Double-A Springfield on Saturday. It will be the third rehab appearance for Wainwright, who was placed on the disabled list June 8.

Analysis: All signs point to Wainwright getting a shot at closing for the Cardinals when he returns later in August, unless someone like Chris Perez or Ryan Franklin really takes a stranglehold of the spot while Wainwright is rehabbing. If that happens, Wainwright will be slotted in to the rotation somewhere. He isn't likely to be back until Fantasy Week 21 (Aug. 18-24), but you might want to pick him up now in deeper mixed leagues and NL-only formats if you may have a need for a closer

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reports St. Louis Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright (finger) will start for Double-A Springfield Saturday, Aug. 16, with a pitch count around 65 or 70 pitches. The Cards want to keep the option of bringing him back as a starter open.

After saying recently that he was being groomed to return as a reliever, the Cardinals are now expected to increase Adam Wainwright's pitch count to 65-70 in his next minor league rehab appearance. He's scheduled to start Saturday at Double-A and the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that the change was made "to get him ready in case he's needed as a starting pitcher" following Chris Carpenter's injury. "We want to keep everything on the table as an option," general manager John Mozeliak said. "We decided we didn't want to get Wainwright in a position where he's throwing 25 pitches, 25 pitches and then, oh wait, we need him as a starter."Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

Adam Wainwright will start Saturday for Double-A Springfield, and his pitch count will increase to 65 or 70 pitches, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Cardinals pushed his start back one day and raised his pitch count to get him ready in case he's needed as a starting pitcher. Facing uncertainty with the ailing Chris Carpenter, the Cardinals want Wainwright to be available for either role, starter or, potentially closer. GM John Mozeliak said, "We want to keep everything on the table as an option. We decided we didn't want to get Wainwright in a position where he's throwing 25 pitches, 25 pitches and then, oh wait, we need him as a starter."Either way, Wainwright is worth holding onto in larger mixed leagues and NL-only leagues.

News: The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Cardinals SP/RP Adam Wainwright threw 48 pitches in three innings Monday in his second Triple-A appearance. He allowed four hits, two runs and struck out two.

Analysis: All signs point to Wainwright getting a shot at closing for the Cardinals when he returns later in August, unless someone like Chris Perez or Ryan Franklin really takes a stranglehold of the spot while Wainwright is rehabbing. If that happens, Wainwright will be slotted in to the rotation somewhere. He isn't likely to be back until Fantasy Week 21 (Aug. 18-24), but you might want to pick him up now in deeper mixed leagues and NL-only formats if you may have a need for a closer

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reports St. Louis Cardinals P Adam Wainwright (finger) threw 48 pitches in three innings at Triple-A Memphis Monday, Aug. 11. He allowed two runs on four hits and struck out two. He is scheduled to throw again Thursday for Memphis, at which time the Cardinals will consider activating him.

Adam Wainwright allowed two runs over three innings in his minor league rehab appearance Monday for Triple-A Memphis.Due to all sorts of bullpen issues for the Cardinals, Wainwright is likely to be the closer when he returns to action.

Adam Wainwright allowed two runs over three innings in his minor league rehab appearance Monday for Triple-A Memphis.Wainwright is likely to be the Cardinals closer when he returns to action. He has not pitched in two months, so some rust was to be expected.

Adam Wainwright (finger) allowed two runs over three innings in a minor league rehab appearance Monday at Triple-A. Wainwright has now allowed five runs in two outings at Memphis and he's scheduled to pitch again Thursday, at which point the Cardinals may decide to bring him back from the disabled list and potentially install him as closer.Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

Adam Wainwright (finger) allowed three runs while getting just two outs Friday in his first appearance for Triple-A Memphis. Wainwright is expected to rejoin the Cards as a reliever, but he might not be ready to take over as the closer quite as soon as hoped. He'll need to be a whole lot better for Memphis on Monday if he expects to return to the majors next week.

While not yet set in stone, the decision is based on the desire to get Wainwright back as soon as possible. "If you look at how soon he would be able to be in the rotation, there is some sense to getting him in the bullpen sooner," manager Tony La Russa said. Wainwright struggled Friday in his first rehab start for Triple-A Memphis, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk over just two-thirds of an inning. Still, the right-hander will make another rehab appearance Monday, and it is conceivable that his next appearance may be with the big league club. Stay tuned.

Matthew Leach, of Cardinals.MLB.com, reports St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan said the team is preparing SP Adam Wainwright (finger) to return to the team as a late-inning reliever. He will pitch in a rehab game Monday, Aug. 11.

Adam Wainwright struggled in his first rehab outing for Triple-A Memphis, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Being groomed as a reliever, Wainwright was on a 25 pitch limit, and he used them to get just two outs, allowing three runs on four hits while walking one and striking one batter out.Wainwright is likely to be the Cardinals closer when he returns to action. He has not pitched in two months, so some rust was to be expected.

News: Cardinals P Adam Wainwright (finger) didn't look so hot in his first rehab appearance for Triple-A Memphis on Friday. He allowed three runs on four hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning. "My arm felt very good and my finger felt very good," Wainwright told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "My location is still not very good, and I've just got to build on that. If I continue to build on that while I'm here, that's why I'm here. I'm a little embarrassed to come down and get stroked all around the park like that. But I've got to realize why I'm here and that's to get back up to the big leagues and to get right here. It's a steppingstone. It's getting hitters under my belt for the first time pitching in a game. It's been two months, so I'm just excited to be here. I wanted to be sharper than that."

Analysis: All signs point to Wainwright getting a shot at closing for the Cardinals when he returns later in August, unless someone like Chris Perez or Ryan Franklin really takes a stranglehold of the spot while Wainwright is rehabbing. If that happens, Wainwright will be slotted in to the rotation somewhere. He isn't likely to be back until Fantasy Week 21 (Aug. 18-24), but you might want to pick him up now in deeper mixed leagues and NL-only formats if you may have a need for a closer

The Associated Press reports St. Louis Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright (finger) will make his first rehab start Friday, Aug. 8, at Triple-A Memphis. The outing was moved up a day, and the team plans on shorter and more frequent appearances until he's ready, which could signal a return to the bullpen.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that Adam Wainwright's (finger) minor league rehab assignment "will be tailored for a relief pitcher." Speculation about Wainwright returning from the disabled list as the Cardinals' closer began last month, but at the time manager Tony La Russa lashed out at reporters for asking about Wainwright's likely role. Some ugly outings from Jason Isringhausen and Ryan Franklin -- or perhaps a chat with general manager John Mozeliak -- have seemingly changed his mind. "We moved him up since he's probably going to come back as a reliever," Mozeli