Wainwright gets reacclimated to game speed

JUPITER, Fla. -- St. Louis right-hander Adam Wainwright, already tabbed as the Opening Day starter, became one of the last Cardinals to make his Spring Training debut.

The 2013 National League Cy Young Award runner-up required just 25 pitches (15 strikes) over two scoreless innings in his start Friday afternoon against the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium.

In the first, Matt Angle grounded out to second, Christian Yelich singled up the middle and Giancarlo Stanton fouled out to first. Yadier Molina threw Yelich out stealing on a 2-0 pitch to end the frame. Wainwright pitched a perfect second by striking out Garrett Jones swinging and inducing a pair of groundouts.

"It was good to get out there and compete on the field, feel the speed of the game again, control things," Wainwright said. "I was fairly pleased with how it went."

Wainwright, who was scheduled to start Thursday's rainout in Fort Myers, Fla., regularly hit the high 80s-low 90s with his fastball.

The 32-year-old will take the mound again on Tuesday against the Mets before resuming a normal schedule. He expects to toss around 50 pitches.

"I know I'm on short rest, so I didn't go out there and try to blow anything out," Wainwright said. "I wanted to be very under control and tried to finish square. For the most part, I did, except for the only hit I gave up. The only time I fell off the mound, he hit it right back up the middle. I was mad about that, but other than that, I felt in control of my body and where the ball was going."