• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

RHP Wainwright returns for Cardinals

Aug 22, 2008 - 10:21 AM Atlanta (56-72) at St. Louis (71-58) 8:15 p.m. EDT

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Cardinals' starting rotation is about to get a major boost.

Adam Wainwright returns to the mound on Friday when the Cardinals face the Atlanta Braves.

Wainwright (6-3, 3.14 ERA) has been on the disabled list since June 7, when he severely sprained his right middle finger in a start against the Houston Astros.

After his first rehab start, the Cardinals said he would return as the closer to help out the struggling bullpen. Wainwright served as the closer in 2006, leading St. Louis to a World Series title.

The move made sense, as the Cardinals' bullpen has 25 losses - second-most in the National League. They also lost former closer Jason Isringhausen for the season due to an elbow injury on Tuesday.

However, Chris Carpenter was diagnosed with a strained muscle in the back of his pitching shoulder on August 13, leaving St. Louis short on starters. Lefthander Mark Mulder (shoulder) is also on the DL.

Wainwright, who won a career-high 14 games for St. Louis last year, faces Braves rookie Charlie Morton (3-7, 5.95).

Morton has lost each of his last two starts and five of his last six. He was pounded in his only appearance against the Cardinals, allowing a career-high eight runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, walking four while striking out one en route to a 12-3 loss on July 28.