Cardinals’ Wainwright throws to live hitters, calls it ‘step in the right direction’

Adam Wainwright’s first appearance against hitters since rupturing his Achilles’ tendon in April came sooner than expected and went as well as expected, but that did not mean the Cardinals starter was content.

Which was, outside of his pitches, the feeling he wanted.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” he said. “I’m going to improve on it. I like being out there again, but I don’t like not being able to do exactly what I wanted to do. That leaves me some homework. I like that.”

Wainwright threw 25 pitches to a handful of teammates Wednesday afternoon, hours before the game at Busch Stadium. Matt Adams hit one of Wainwright’s pitches over the wall. The pitcher was able to induce grounders and some weaker hits from a group of teammates that also included Jon Jay, Randal Grichuk and Pete Kozma.

Wainwright referred to himself several times as “a hair off” with his pitches, though he described his overall stuff as “game-ready.”

Wednesday was supposed to be Wainwright’s throwing day in preparation for a simulated game this weekend. The Cardinals instead put a screen in front of Wainwright and had him face hitters in what manager Mike Matheny called a “bullpen (session) amped-up.” The right-hander will repeat the simulated game sometime this weekend, possibly without the screen so that, if necessary, he’ll be able to field his position.

Wainwright has been increasing his agility drills that strengthen his leg and increase his mobility. He must be able to field his position before he can appear in a game.

“We’ll just kind of watch and see what it looks like,” Matheny said. “It has to look right. It has to feel right. And it has to fit with what we’re doing. I’m just happy we’re having this discussion.”

The Cardinals initially stated that Wainwright would miss the remainder of the 2015 season after his Achilles’ tendon split in late April. Wainwright insisted he would contribute at some point. His rehab has progressed without setbacks, and this past Monday he was given the clearance necessary to make the attempt to pitch this season. He will do so in relief for the Cardinals though he has 10 games remaining to show he should dislodge a pitcher who has been with the team during the season or was even acquired at the trade deadline.

Wainwright was last a reliever on the 2006 World Series team.

“It’s going to come down to what do we see right now is going to be the best fit for our club,” Matheny said. “There is something to experience. That plays into it. As you factor in all of the variables you have to look at guys who have been in the postseason because it’s different. That is part of the equation, but it’s not the entire equation.”

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