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**BigRedChief** · 08-21-2008, 11:00 AM

WAINWRIGHT TO START

Adam Wainwright will return to a starting role, but La Russa stopped short of saying Wainwright will return to the starting rotation. Wainwright is scheduled to start Friday against Atlanta, his first appearance since injuring his right middle finger June 7 at Houston.

"He's an important guy to our staff, and we've missed him," La Russa said. "He's going to pitch that day. We're going to play it by ear and go from there."

Joel Piñeiro, who would have been on turn for Friday's start, will "back up" Wainwright, La Russa said. Wainwright threw 64 pitches in his rehab start Saturday for Class AA Springfield, and he expects to be ready to throw at least that many Friday. The Cardinals had been prepping Wainwright as a starter but also considered moving him into the bullpen as the team's closer. La Russa did not deflate the possibility that Wainwright could still be moved into the bullpen, saying Friday's start is just that — a start Friday.

Still, the schedule allows the Cardinals to start Wainwright on Friday and have him come back, on turn, to face Milwaukee at the end of this home stand.

"I feel where my long-term value is is as a starter," Wainwright said. "It doesn't matter what I do now. Whatever the team needs. ... (Friday) is a start. It at least allows me to prepare as a starter for now."

08-21-2008, 11:00 AM	#904
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $-661038 VARSITY	WAINWRIGHT TO START Adam Wainwright will return to a starting role, but La Russa stopped short of saying Wainwright will return to the starting rotation. Wainwright is scheduled to start Friday against Atlanta, his first appearance since injuring his right middle finger June 7 at Houston. "He's an important guy to our staff, and we've missed him," La Russa said. "He's going to pitch that day. We're going to play it by ear and go from there." Joel Piñeiro, who would have been on turn for Friday's start, will "back up" Wainwright, La Russa said. Wainwright threw 64 pitches in his rehab start Saturday for Class AA Springfield, and he expects to be ready to throw at least that many Friday. The Cardinals had been prepping Wainwright as a starter but also considered moving him into the bullpen as the team's closer. La Russa did not deflate the possibility that Wainwright could still be moved into the bullpen, saying Friday's start is just that — a start Friday. Still, the schedule allows the Cardinals to start Wainwright on Friday and have him come back, on turn, to face Milwaukee at the end of this home stand. "I feel where my long-term value is is as a starter," Wainwright said. "It doesn't matter what I do now. Whatever the team needs. ... (Friday) is a start. It at least allows me to prepare as a starter for now." __________________ Mahomes is not a game manager. Release the Kraken.
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