Wainwright unlikely to pitch in All-Star Game

CHICAGO -- Nothing is finalized, but Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright is likely to decline the opportunity to pitch in the All-Star Game on Tuesday in New York.

Wainwright is scheduled to make a start on Sunday night against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, which is the last day before the All-Star break. All-Star pitchers who throw on Sunday have the option of pitching a maximum of one inning in the All-Star Game or opting out and still attending the festivities.

Wainwright doesn't want to be too hasty with making his decision final, so he'll wait to see what happens on Sunday.

"I don't think you can make a [final] decision on it until we see what happens [Sunday]," he said prior to Saturday night's game in Chicago. "I mean, if the game were to get rained out and I backed out for no reason that would be silly. But if I pitch [Sunday], then I would probably forgo the chance to pitch in the All-Star Game to allow for some rest."

The one-inning limit on All-Stars who pitch Sunday also plays into his thinking.

"I would only be allowed to pitch one inning anyway, so I'd rather see another deserving person make the team that's not on the team," Wainwright said.

Someone like Cardinals closer Edward Mujica, perhaps?

"Too early still, to say, but he's obviously had a very good first half," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said on Saturday.

Mujica had 26 saves coming into Saturday night's game, with a 2.27 ERA. He was also holding opponents to a paltry .188 batting average against and picked up five saves and a win in his last six outings -- all within the last week.

As for Wainwright, Matheny didn't have a strong feeling on it one way or the other.

"He's going to do what he thinks is best and how his body feels," Matheny said. "We've been riding him pretty hard, so I do respect any decision he makes."