The Cardinals have been hit hard with injuries as the regular season winds down, but they will welcome a familiar face this week when ace Adam Wainwright is activated from the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday.
Wainwright, who tore his left Achilles on April 25 in his fourth start of the season, will pitch exclusively out of the bullpen in the playoffs. St. Louis will be trying to advance to the NLCS for a fifth consecutive year.
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A three-time All-Star and two-time NL wins leader, Wainwright owned a 1.44 ERA in 25 innings before the injury. The 34-year-old has a career 3.12 ERA over 83 2/3 innings in the postseason. He saved St. Louis' clinching Game 5 victory in the 2006 World Series.
It's unclear who will be catching Wainwright. No. 1 receiver Yadier Molina is dealing with a slight ligament tear in his left thumb. Tony Cruz will take over if Molina is unavailable.