Adam Wainwright and the Top 5 Players Who Hate Spring Training

Let’s face it: Not many players actually enjoy spring training.

Most say it’s too long, and they don’t particularly enjoy putting in all of the hard work without getting any real results in the win column.

But there are a handful of players who especially hate spring training.

Some former players that fall into this category are Matt Williams and Nomar Garciaparra. Both players experienced bad injuries during spring training that derailed seasons for them.

Here are five current players who especially hate spring training.

5. Joe Nathan

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FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Pitcher Joe Nathan #36 of the Minnesota Twins throws during a spring training workout session at Hammond Stadium on February 23, 2011 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Last spring training, Nathan blew out his elbow and required Tommy John surgery, prompting the Minnesota Twins to revamp their bullpen.

Nathan is continuing to rehab his elbow this spring training in hopes of reclaiming the Twins’ closer job.

4. Cliff Lee

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CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 06: Pitcher Cliff Lee #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during a Grapefruit League Spring Training Game at Bright House Field on March 6, 2011 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images

Lee sustained injuries during spring training in both 2007 and 2010, landing him on the DL to start both seasons.

This year, Lee injured his lat, which he has since dismissed as a “non-issue.”

Still, I’m sure Lee will breathe a sigh of relief once spring training is over. Getting injured for the third spring training in five years would be a definite blow to the Phillies rotation—and to their fans' egos.

3. Mark Prior

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TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Mark Prior #22 of the New York Yankees poses for a portrait on Photo Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 23, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Prior has had a multitude of injuries during spring training in his career.

It’s also the only time we will hear about Prior all season, due to the fact that he will be injured for the rest of the season.

This allows everyone to retell their favorite Mark Prior jokes, which only adds to Prior’s hatred of spring training.

2. Chipper Jones

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KISSIMMEE, FL - MARCH 01: Chipper Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves bats during a Spring Training game against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Kissimmee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

During spring training in 1994, Jones tore ligaments in his knee for the first time.

Now, in 2011, Jones is rehabbing his knee again in Florida.

It’s also worth mentioning that under Bobby Cox, spring training was more relaxed and there was more time for golf. But now that Fredi Gonzalez is manager, there is less time for the Braves slugger to hit the links at Disney World, which I’m sure makes him dislike spring training even more.

1. Adam Wainwright

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JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 16: Pitcher Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws during spring training at Roger Dean Stadium on February 16, 2011 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Wainwright is an obvious choice for being at the top of this list.

He will be shelved for 2011 due to Tommy John surgery and probably won’t regain his regular form until midway through 2012.

This spring training elbow injury might end up taking away both 18 months of Wainwright’s prime and a division title for the Cardinals.

No spring training injury has hurt a team so much as Wainwright’s elbow injury.