JUPITER, Fla. - Cardinals manager Mike Matheny confirmed the obvious Friday: Adam Wainwright will start Opening Day.
The move appeared likely for several weeks with Wainwright serving as the longest-tenured St. Louis starter. The right-hander is set to make his fourth spring start Friday afternoon against the Washington Nationals.
"I think it's pretty apparent thats the way we're going," Matheny said. "It's something he certainly deserves. He's the leader on our pitching staff."
Wainwright returned from Tommy John surgery last year to go 14-13 with a 3.94 ERA in 32 starts.
