JUPITER, Fla. -- Adam Wainwright threw out the first unofficial pitch of spring training Wednesday morning at Roger Dean Stadium.

Thrilled by his recovery from last February's elbow ligament replacement as well as those returning to the club, Wainwright said he sees potential for a more dominant bunch than last year's wild-card world champions.

"I think we ought to be better," Wainwright insisted. "You can't say you're going to be better than a team that won the World Series, because that's the eventual goal. But within the day-in, day-out process of a 162-game season, I think we'll be better. That's not because Albert (Pujols) is gone. That's because the other roles on this team have gotten drastically better."

Wainwright, whose elbow broke down during live batting practice last spring training, didn't contribute an inning to the 2011 90-win club but is pointing toward full readiness for Opening Day this season. Regaining a talent who placed third and second in balloting for the 2009 and 2010 NL Cy Young Award is hardly incidental.

Likewise, Wainwright sees a bullpen tested by fire during last season's stretch drive and playoffs as an asset rather than a question mark.

"I feel like our bullpen is much more experienced and much more comfortable in big spots," said Wainwright, who delivered the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS and World Series before moving into the Cardinals' rotation in 2007. "The experience of winning a World Series is enormous for a young player."

Wainwright cited last season's right fielder, Lance Berkman, as a capable successor to Pujols at first base and applauded the team's outfield depth.

Well aware of the role health can play in a season, Wainwright added, "Hopefully, we keep all our pieces for the whole year. If everyone is healthy, look out. We should be better."

Wainwright, who has been in camp since January 11, is scheduled to throw live batting practice Thursday. Since arriving, he has thrown from a mound about every third day.