Cardinals Lose Adam Wainwright for Remainder of 2015 Season

Pitching ace Adam Wainwright for the St. Louis Cardinals is expected to be lost for the rest of this season because of an Achilles injury suffered on Saturday night when he stumbled out the batter’s box.

Wainwright was placed on the disabled list on Sunday with what the team called an Achilles and left ankle injury. He will undergo an MRI Monday.

With their pitching ace injured, St. Louis might still have the pitching staff needed to win the National League Central, but the postseason is where they would have some problems.

Following the Cardinals win on Saturday of 5-3 versus the Milwaukee Brewers, Wainwright had a protective boat on his foot and ankle. He said he felt has if he had been hit in the back of his ankle. He added that if you looked at the video, he got out of the batter’s box and looked back to see if the catcher’s mask might have hit his foot or even the bat.

Mike Matheny the manager for the Cardinals said any time that the team will be without Wainwright would be tough.

Wainwright led 2-0 on Saturday when he hurt his ankle leading off the fifth. He was helped from the field and left the game.

Since 2012, Wainwright is No. 1 in the league in shutouts and complete games. He is No. 2 with wins at 55 and No. 6 in ERA.

The injury while at bat will likely increase the long debate between the National League and American League over the use of the designated hitter. Max Scherzer injured his thumb while batting last week and said it was time the NL used the DH.

The Cardinals have recalled Cody Stanley a catcher from their Triple-A team to take the place of Wainwright on the active 25-man roster.

Yadier Molina the starting catcher was forced to leave Friday’s game after being hit in his right knee guard by a foul ball. He sat out of Sunday’s game, when Tony Cruz played for him.

Matheny said St. Louis have not made the determination who would enter the rotation on Thursday on Wainwright’s place versus Philadelphia.

Lance Lynn, the loser on Sunday, said no extra pressure existed for the pitchers to fill the shoes of Wainwright. He said the pitchers just have to continue doing their job and get wins.

The setback for Wainwright has come as he was settling into form after not starting the season in great form.

This season he was 2-1 with an ERA of 1.44, while for his career he is 121-67 with a 2.98 ERA.