Adam Wainwright, Cardinals ace, will miss entire season after Tommy John surgery

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The St. Louis Cardinals will be without their ace pitcher for all of the 2011 season.

Adam Wainwright, a 20-game winner and Cy Young Award runner-up last season, will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, General Manager John Mozeliak confirmed Thursday from spring training in Jupiter, Fla.

The 29-year-old pitcher felt stiffness after Monday’s throwing session and was sent back to St. Louis for tests by team doctors. Mozeliak said Wainwright then went to Los Angeles for a second opinion.

The news comes days after the Cardinals learned they would be without utility infielder Nick Punto for eight to 12 weeks due to surgery for a sports hernia.

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.