Adam Wainwright Makes First Comments on Missing Opening Day

Adam Wainwright has been with the St. Louis Cardinals since 2005, so he's become a familiar face on Opening Day. Unfortunately for him, however, a recent groin injury will cause him to miss the start of the season for the first time in years.

The 41-year-old is understandably disappointed based on his latest comments, but is trying to remain optimistic as well.

Adam Wainwright Injury Update

While Wainwright would love to be with his teammates to begin the year, he also understands that it's more important to be healthy at the end of the season than at the beginning of it.

Still, this isn't a great start to Wainwright's 18th MLB season, which is also expected to be his last. The tall right-hander will turn 42 this summer and has already accomplished a lot in his career, winning a World Series and making three All-Star teams. He'll likely earn his 200th career win this year as well, so he has nothing left to prove.

Wainwright has also been remarkably durable throughout his career, which makes his latest injury so unusual. He's started at least 30 games 10 times in his career and is known for being a dependable workhorse who takes the mound every fifth day.

It will be a little while before he makes his season debut this year, however, as he will open the season on the injured list and is expected to miss most of April. Perhaps the delayed start will help keep his arm fresh for the playoffs, however, especially after he faded down the stretch last year.

The Cardinals are counting on Wainwright to come back healthy and be a key contributor in their rotation again. St. Louis is currently tied for ninth-best World Series odds (+2000) on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.