Cardinals to start Wainwright on Friday

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals will plug Adam Wainwright into their rotation instead of using him as the fill-in closer, and will give him the start Friday against the Atlanta Braves.

Wainwright, the opening-day starter, has been on the 15-day disabled list since early June with a ruptured tendon on the middle finger of his right hand. He threw 4 2-3 scoreless innings in his third rehab start last week and on Monday said he was ready to pitch.

Wainwright bumps Joel Pineiro, who had been on track to make the start on Friday. Manager Tony La Russa said Wednesday that Pineiro, who is 3-0 in August and 6-5 overall with a 4.80 ERA, would be used in long relief if necessary on Friday.

The Cardinals are expected to place Jason Isringhausen, who twice lost the closer job, on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow injury but had not yet done so. Wainwright could take that spot on the roster.

Chris Carpenter, on the DL with a strained shoulder, played catch for the second straight day and was scheduled for a bullpen session on Friday. He’s not yet considered close to returning to the rotation.