Adam Wainwright Reportedly Will Return to Cardinals for 2023 MLB Season

One of the greatest pitchers in St. Louis Cardinals franchise history is reportedly not ready to call it a career.

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Adam Wainwright will return to St. Louis next season.

Before the 2022 season started, the 41-year-old signed a one-year deal to remain with St. Louis. He addressed the possibility of retirement and left the door open on returning for another year.

"I would be willing to tell you that I think it’s probably my last year, but I’m not going on record to say it is my last year,” he said in March. “I just don’t want to put [retirement] out there until I know, and I don’t know that. ... But I’m still having a really, really good time pitching. I’m still executing, and I feel I can do it at a high level, so I’m not crossing that bridge."

Wainwright backed that up with a strong season, going 11-12 with a 3.71 ERA and 143 strikeouts.

The three-time All-Star has spent his entire MLB career with the Cardinals. He began as a reliever, briefly assuming the team's closer role. He closed out St. Louis' series-clinching victories in the 2006 National League Championship Series and World Series. The next season, he transitioned back to starting pitching and quickly emerged as the team's ace.

Wainwright has finished in the top three in Cy Young Award voting four times and twice led the NL in wins. He also won two Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger award, as well as the Roberto Clemente Award in 2020.

His 2,147 career strikeouts are second in franchise history behind only Hall of Famer Bob Gibson's 3,117. For his career, the 6'7" righty has a record of 195-117, a 3.38 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. His 213 wins alongside veteran catcher Yadier Molina are the most by a pitching battery in MLB history.

By returning for another season, Wainwright will be hoping the Cardinals are able to push for a return to the World Series in 2023. Alongside fellow starters Miles Mikolas and Dakota Hudson, he should be able to help St. Louis remain in contention in the NL next year.