Wacha feels good after first start since June

JUPITER, Fla. -- Still at the point in spring where pitches aren’t always crisp and timing not always consistent, something as seemingly routine as getting back into competition served as the most notable aspect of Michael Wacha’s Grapefruit League debut on Sunday.

That’s because it hadn’t been routine for a while.

Wacha’s two-inning start against the Nationals represented his first outing for the Cardinals since June 20, when a left oblique injury forced an early exit -- and ultimately a premature end to his season. Wacha went on to appear in three Minor League rehab games before being scratched from a fourth when the discomfort returned in early September and dashed his hopes of a late-season return.

Rehab eventually turned into building back up for another season, which Wacha began, unofficially, on Sunday.

“It’s good to get back out on the mound, I can tell you that,” Wacha said after allowing one run on one hit and a walk. “A lot of fun getting out there and competing again and feeling healthy, for sure.”

Wacha threw 14 of his 26 pitches for strikes and would have wrapped up the outing unscathed if not for a walk and ball that zipped over the head of Dexter Fowler in right field.

“I was impressed by Michael,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. “He got better as he went, had a feel for everything.”

Injury update

Andrew Morales exited his spring debut with right shoulder discomfort on Sunday. After striking out a batter to close the sixth, Morales returned to pitch the seventh. Shildt said he and pitching coach Mike Maddux noticed that something looked off as Morales warmed up, and after the first three batters reached, they paid the right-hander a visit. It was then that Morales alerted them to the discomfort.

The Cardinals will have a better feel for the severity of the issue after Morales undergoes further evaluation.

“Hopefully it’s good news," Shildt said.

Reined in

Wanting to protect the right knee that gave Andrew Miller fits last season, the Cardinals plan to delay his debut in Grapefruit League play and will have him instead throw a second session of live batting practice on Monday. He’ll do so along with Alex Reyes and Jordan Hicks, both of whom are also on scripted slower spring programs.

The Cardinals will re-evaluate Miller’s readiness for game action after Monday’s exercise, though any slowdown to this point has been entirely precautionary. There is no concern about his readiness for Opening Day.

“It’s good,” Miller said of his knee. “I feel strong. I look forward to getting into action and playing that long season. I think I’m up for it.”

Right knee inflammation landed Miller on the injured list for a little over two months last year. It was one of three different injuries that interrupted his season.

Worth noting

• Shildt confirmed that Adam Wainwright will make his spring debut on Tuesday when the Cardinals go on the road to face Washington.

• Though Yadier Molina, who is recovering from offseason knee surgery, has been engaged in catching drills since Spring Training started, Saturday marked the first time he had squatted behind the plate to catch a side session. He served as Wainwright’s batterymate in the exercise. Shildt indicated that he would have more information about Molina’s Grapefruit League plan on Monday.

• After serving as the starting catcher in the team’s Grapefruit League opener, Andrew Knizner replaced Paul Goldschmidt at first base on Sunday. The Cardinals intend to get Knizner periodic looks at first base so that he could be ready to fill in at the position, if needed, during the regular season.

Up next

Former first-round pick Jake Woodford will make his spring debut on Monday when he starts for the Cardinals against Detroit’s Daniel Norris. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. CT from Roger Dean Stadium. Woodford, who finished with a 4.90 ERA over 28 starts last season, is a candidate to open the season in Triple-A Memphis’ rotation.