In today’s 10 a.m. video, columnist Ben Hochman looks at the Cardinals’ 2023 rotation and possible offensive free-agency acquisitions. Also, a happy birthday shoutout to Pat Sajak! And, as always, Hochman picks a random St. Louis Cards card from the hat. Ten Hochman is presented by Window Nation!
Adam Wainwright, a fixture of the Cardinals' rotation for 15 consecutive winning seasons and guiding presence for a generation of young starters, will return to the Cardinals for the 2023 season, a source told the Post-Dispatch.
It will be Wainwright's 19th season with the Cardinals.
Wainwright, 41, will have the chance to pursue a 200th career win and look to tie the all-time record for second-most wins as a Cardinals pitcher, at 210. He already ranks second only to Bob Gibson in strikeouts for the team, and he's the only member of the team now who was also a part of the 2006 World Series championship.
He got the final out as that team's closer.
Wainwright agreed to a one-year extension on his current contract. The team has scheduled a press conference with the right-hander for Wednesday afternoon.
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St. Louis Cardinals president of operations John Mozeliak on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 talks about the return of Adam Wainwright for another season with the team.
The veteran right-hander went 11-12 in 2022 with a 3.71 ERA. While the Cardinals marketed the season as a "last ride" for the trio that has defined an era in the club's history, Wainwright did not join teammates Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols in announcing his retirement. Molina and Pujols both announced during spring training their plans to retire at season's end.
Wainwright steadfastly kept open the possibility of a return, saying he wanted to meet with family before deciding. Late in the season, he expressed an interest in talking to the Cardinals about a return for 2023 and what that contract would look like.
Wainwright said after the Cardinals' loss to the Phillies in the wild-card series that he was frustrated by not pitching at all in the series, and that he could draw motivation from how his season ended.
Wainwright had a 2.50 ERA as the Cardinals stormed to the division lead in August and he went 2-1 in six starts that month. He struck out 31 and allowed 33 hits in 39 2/3 innings as one of the top starters in the National League. In September, his ERA ballooned to 7.22 in six starts, and he allowed 44 hits in 28 2/3 innings. Throughout that frustrating month, Wainwright said he was experiencing "dead arm," or a lack of snap and life as the ball came off his fingertips.
After the season, he reviewed video of his performances and found another possible cause for the troubles, one that he traced back to a bruised knee that happened in late August. He explained later that the answer for his September struggles was in his stride.
A three-time All-Star, Wainwright has been the Cardinals most consistent pitcher for the previous four seasons. Arguably the team's most valuable player during and through the shortened 2020 season because of the stability and performance he brought to the team. Since 2019, Wainwright is 47-32 with a 3.57 ERA in 105 starts, and he's among the league leaders in innings, ERA, and complete games in that span.
Wainwright has been going year-to-year with contracts, first to prove his health and then to give him some flexibility as he spoke with his family about when it would be time to return home. He has joked that he promised his daughters a dog when he retires, and they have had to delay now for at least three years.
A year ago, he agreed to a one-year, $18-million deal for the 2022 season.
In his first 17 seasons with the Cardinals, Wainwright is 195-117 with a 3.38 ERA and 2,147 strikeouts.
He returns to a rotation that also has Miles Mikolas, Steven Matz, Dakota Hudson, Jordan Montgomery, and Jack Flaherty signed or under control through the 2023 season. Montgomery, Flaherty, and Hudson are all arbitration eligible this offseason.
The team confirmed an extension with Wainwright during a press conference Wednesday morning at Busch Stadium to discuss other changes and topics happening with the club.Â
Columnist Jeff Gordon assigns year-end grades for the St. Louis Cardinals pitchers.
Photos: Wainwright and Molina make history with 325th battery start for Cardinals

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina take the field together for the 325th time, setting the battery record against the Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina enter the field together for the 325th time, setting the battery record against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright throws his second pitch, after he and Yadier Molina started together for the 325th time, setting the battery record against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina enter the field together for the 325th time, setting the battery record against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright tips his hat to the crowd before he and catcher Yadier Molina start together for the 325th time, setting the battery record against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher catcher Yadier Molina wears a custom mask with his and Adam Wainwright's number on the sides, as the battery starts together for the 325th time, setting the record against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina enter the field together for the 325th time, setting the battery record against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina enter the field together for the 325th time, setting the battery record against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright handles a soft ground ball hit by Andrew McCutchen of the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante fields an infield ground ball from Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals Lars Nootbaar arrives home after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

The Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar arrives home after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium.Â

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Andrew Knizner sprinkles the pepper over Nolan Arenado following a solo home run by Arenado in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols checks a nicked arm as he's hit by a pitch in the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jordan Hicks works his way out of the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

Cardinals shortstop Tommy Edman gets Hunter Renfroe of the Brewers out at second base as Kolten Wong safely reaches first base on a ground ball in the seventh inning on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium.Â

St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols waits to hit in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols hits a double in the eighth inning, scoring Tyler O'Neill for his 2,200th RBI against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley comes out of the bullpen to pitch the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Busch Stadium. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals fan Michelle Shadowens shows off her rally towel celebrating St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) and catcher Yadier Molina (4) 325th battery start before a game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) warms up in the bullpen wearing a mask celebrating the historical recording-setting 325th start with his battery mate Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

A St. Louis Cardinals fan keeps cool by keeping the sunshine off his head with the rally towel celebrating St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) and catcher Yadier Molina (4) 325th battery start before a game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Milwaukee Brewers Hunter Renfroe (12) celebrates his single off St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Hicks (12) on the seventh inning on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Ben DeLuzio (26) catches a pop fly byMilwaukee Brewers Jace Peterson (14) in the eighth inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (39) throws a pitch in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Notable St. Louis Cardinals fan Tom Lange known as "The Hatman" wears his Wainwright and Molina making history hat as St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) warms up in the bullpen before the start of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Wainwright (50) and catcher Yadier Molina (4) took to the field for the 325th time as a major-league battery, breaking the record set in 1975 when Detroit' Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan got to 324. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Tyrone Taylor (15) chases down a RBI double hit by St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols (5) in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich (22) and center fielder Tyrone Taylor (15) can't field a single hit by St. Louis Cardinals Paul Goldschmidt (46)in the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols (5) celebrates his RBI double in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) and catcher Yadier Molina (4) celebrates the Cardinals 4-1 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers, on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals third base coach Ron 'Pop' Warner (75) congratulates Lars Nootbaar (21) on his solo home run in the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals third base coach Ron 'Pop' Warner (75) congratulates Lars Nootbaar (21) on his solo home run in the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals Brendan Donovan (33) scores on a RBI single by Yadier Molina (4) in the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar high-fives Tommy Edman (19) after Nootbaar hit a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium.

St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols (5) is hit by a pitch by Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (39) in the sixth inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) goes to work in the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan (33) tags out Milwaukee Brewers Kolten Wong (16) as he tries to steal second base during the third inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) goes to work in the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals Nolan Arenado (28) rounds third base after hitting a solo home run in the second inning baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright tips his cap to a standing ovation as he and catcher Yadier Molina take to the field for the 325th time as a major-league battery, breaking the record set in 1975 when Detroit's Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan got to 324, during warmups before the first inning against the Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium.Â

Fans Jake Kidd, left, and Ryan Doermar watch a tribute to catcher Yadier Molina before Molina and starting pitcher Adam Wainwright take the field together for the 325th time as a major-league battery for a game against the Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium.Â

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) goes to work in the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Wainwright (50) and catcher Yadier Molina (4) took to the field for the 325th time as a major-league battery, breaking the record set in 1975 when Detroit' Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan got to 324. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) warms up in the bullpen before the start of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Wainwright (50) and catcher Yadier Molina (4) took to the field for the 325th time as a major-league battery, breaking the record set in 1975 when Detroit' Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan got to 324.Â

St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols (5) celebrates his RBI double in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium.Â

Fans angle to document St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) as he walks toward the bullpen to warm up before the start of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Busch Stadium. Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina took to the field for the 325th time as a major-league battery, breaking the record set in 1975 when Detroit's Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan got to 324.