On Wednesday, The St. Louis Cardinals announced that they have activated Adam Wainwright from the 60-day disabled list. The right-hander will be available to pitch during the team's doubleheader at Pittsburgh.
On April 25, Wainwright tore his left Achilles tendon while batting in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers. At the time, the team's general manager John Mozeliak said that the 34-year-old pitcher would miss the remainder of the season which amounts to 141 games.
He had made just four starts for the current season prior to sustaining the injury. While Wainwright was expected sit out the rest of the season, he reportedly completed his recovery ahead of schedule. His rehabilitation was initially set to last for about nine to 12 months but he finished the process in about five months.
As such, it is possible that the two-time 20-game winner could pitch in the game for the Cardinals as the team clinch the National League Central championship. Wainwright, a three-time Major League All-Star, owns a career record of 121-67 with a 2.90 ERA.
Another good news for St. Louis fans is that left fielder Stephen Piscotty has been discharged from the hospital following a dangerous collision with fellow Cardinals center fielder Peter Bourjos.
While playing left field on Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, Piscotty was chasing a drive to left-center when he collided with Bourjos in the seventh inning. The latter's left knee caught the former in the head, leaving him motionless and seemingly unconscious on the field. Trainers rushed toward Piscotty and the game was stopped as the player was laid in a cart and taken off the field.
One day after the collision, Piscotty was released from the hospital after a second round of exams turned out negative. All scans of his face, neck, and head to check for injury or fracture revealed no damage; Piscotty was only diagnosed with a concussion. Mozeliak also said that the left fielder has also been assessed by neurological specialists and has underwent an MRI test.
"I think the good news is he will probably play again in the regular season. There's no reason to speculate (when) at this moment. The ultimate decision will be how he feels and what he wants to do as well. The game is about feel and timing (so) it makes sense to get him in and he feels up to it and I think we'll do that," the Cardinals general manager told the STL Today on Tuesday.
