WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A few days before he was to make his spring debut, Adam Wainwright was stopped by team trainer Chris Conroy, who posed the simplest of questions: “How do you feel?”

The answer, Wainwright conceded, was much more complex.

“Great,” he responded. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

What doesn’t make sense is how a body that had felt so broken for much of the past two years has re-emerged strong and reinvigorated. By late last summer, Wainwright, who had landed back on the injured list because of more right elbow trouble, had decided he had endured enough. He planned to retire at season’s end.

Wainwright delayed those plans only after a strong September left him thinking he might have a little more left to give to this game. His start to Spring Training has only reaffirmed that confidence.

“Today I was focused on command and getting back to trusting my stuff,” Wainwright said after throwing two perfect innings in a 6-1 win over the Nationals on Tuesday. “Last year, I was focused on surviving, trying to make it to the next pitch. Today my focus was actually focused on pitching instead of health. I felt good.”

Wainwright used 23 pitches (13 strikes) to retire six batters, all of whom are expected to be on Washington’s Opening Day roster. He snapped a few curveballs -- two of which generated outs -- and showed the power sinker he’s been tinkering with this spring. Wainwright’s fastball topped out at 90 mph on the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches radar gun.

For Wainwright, it was the first step toward securing a spot back in the Cardinals' rotation. For the club, it was further confirmation that he’s already earned it.

“Oh, I feel like he’s in the rotation,” said manager Mike Shildt, diluting any conversation about competition. “Positive offseason. The way last season ended. He’s Adam Wainwright. Everything points to him and us wanting him to be in the rotation.”

Up next

The Cardinals will return to Roger Dean Stadium on Wednesday for a 12:05 p.m. CT game against the Braves. Dakota Hudson and Austin Gomber, two pitchers who are vying for the team’s rotation opening, are slated to appear in the game. Atlanta is scheduled to start right-hander Kyle Wright.