ADAM WAINWRIGHT

All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado will not exercise the opt-out clause in his contract with the Cardinals.

Wainwright did not pitch during either game in part because he had struggled with his delivery late in the season. Wainwright and Molina set the major league record for career starts as a battery last season, eventually hitting 328 starts together. The 61-year-old Maddux had been with the Cardinals since 2018 and Albert spent time with the Astros before taking over as the Cardinals hitting coach ahead of the 2019 season. Turner Ward, who had been the assistant hitting coach, could be a candidate for promotion. Pitching strategist Dusty Blake also will be back and could be among the candidates to replace Maddux as the pitching coach.

Adam Wainwright will pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals next season, choosing to return for an 18th with the franchise while longtime teammates Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina head into retirement.

Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina have played their final games with the Cardinals, who were eliminated by the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League wild-card series.

Aaron Nola pitched four-hit ball into the seventh inning, Bryce Harper’s homer gave Philadelphia an early lead, and the Phillies held off the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 to sweep their National League wild-card series.

The Phillies scored six times in the ninth inning off the stingy St. Louis bullpen, highlighted by a bases-loaded single by Jean Segura, and Philadelphia beat the NL Central champion Cardinals 6-3 in the opening game of their National League wild-card series.

ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Albert Pujols hit his 702nd career home run and tied Babe Ruth for second on the all-time RBI on Sunday, but the Pittsburgh Pirates took the game from the St. Louis Cardinals 7-5. Pujols is fourth on the all-time home run list behind Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755) and Barry Bonds (762). He's also now tied with Ruth for second in RBI (2,214) behind Aaron (2,297). Molina, Pujols and Wainwright were all removed from the game together so they could walk off as a trio with two outs in the fifth. TRAINER’S ROOMPirates: C Tyler Heineman was activated from the 7-day Injured List list before the game.

Albert Pujols slammed his 702nd career home run and drove in three runs in the Cardinals' 7-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina made history with the first pitch of the game, then the record-setting battery helped the St. Louis Cardinals extend their NL Central lead by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 4-1 Wednesday night. Wainwright and Molina started together for the 325th time, the most ever by a pitcher-catcher duo in the majors. Wainwright and Molina made their first start together on April 6, 2007, in Houston. Wainwright recorded a 4-2 win in that game -- the first of his 213 victories with Molina behind the plate. Gretzky played 18 games for the St. Louis Blues in 1995-96 and maintains a home in the area.

Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina made history with the first pitch of the game, then the record-setting battery helped the St. Louis Cardinals extend their NL Central lead by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 4-1.

ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina made their 325th career start together on Wednesday night, setting a major league record for most as a battery. The St. Louis duo eclipsed the regular-season mark of 324 by the Detroit Tigers pair of Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan from 1963-1975. Wainwright and Molina made their first start together on April 6, 2007, in Houston. The next active pair behind Wainwright and Molina is the Chicago Cubs battery of Kyle Hendricks and Willson Contreras, who have 105 starts together. The pair attended several games together during the St. Louis Blues' run to the Stanley Cup championship in 2019.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina have made their 325th career start together, setting a major league record for most as a battery.

ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Yadier Molina homered twice on a day he paired with St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright to tie the major league record of 324 starts by a battery in an 11-6 loss to the Washington Nationals on Thursday. Wainwright allowed four runs and nine hits in five innings. It was the second-straight subpar start for Wainwright, who said his mechanics are off. Wainwright and Molina are on track to break the record at home against Milwaukee on Sept. 14. Mikolas allowed just two hits over eight scoreless innings in his last start on Sept. 4.

Yadier Molina homered twice on a day he paired with St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright to tie the major league record fof 324 starts by a battery in an 11-6 loss to the Washington Nationals.

ST. LOUIS — (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina made their 324th career start Thursday, tying the all-time major league mark set by Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan as members of the Detroit Tigers from 1963-1975. Wainwright and Molina got a standing ovation from the crowd as they made their way in from the bullpen moments before first pitch against the Washington Nationals. Wainwright and Molina are scheduled to break the record against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sept. 14. Wainwright notched his first of 212 wins as a starter with Molina as his catcher, which is a major league record for batterymates. Wainwright and Molina have 13 total All-Star Game appearances between them.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina have made their 324th career start.

Tommy Edman was confused. The St. Louis infielder thought he had made the final out. Instead, his long drive to left field nicked off the glove of outfielder Alex Call for a two-run, two-out double to cap St. Louis' five-run ninth inning in a 6-5 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night.

Nico Hoerner and Seiya Suzuki drove in runs off St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright in the third. BLANKED AGAINThe Cubs shut out the Cardinals for the second time this season, following a 3-0 win at St. Louis on June 24. ... St. Louis added LHP Matthew Liberatore from Triple-A Memphis as its 27th man. The 22-year-old is rated as the Cardinals' top pitching prospect, but struggled in two previous stints with St. Louis this season. UP NEXTSt. Louis RHP Jake Woodford (2-0, 2.66 ERA) was to face Chicago's Adrian Sampson (1-3, 3.51) in the nightcap.

Javier Assad pitched four scoreless innings in his major league debut and combined with four relievers on a five-hitter as the Chicago Cubs cooled off the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 in the first game of a doubleheader.

Albert Pujols hit career homer No. 693, Jordan Montgomery pitched a one-hitter and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 for their season-high eighth straight victory.

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the few teams with too many options. The jumbo digs were eventually assigned to Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, and who could really argue? Across the room was 34-year-old Paul Goldschmidt, one of the game's best first basemen who is a seven-time All-Star and in the midst of an MVP-caliber campaign.

ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Albert Pujols launched a pinch-hit grand slam and drove in five runs, Adam Wainwright pitched seven sharp innings and the St. Louis Cardinals routed the Colorado Rockies 13-0 Thursday for a three-game sweep. The Rockies lost starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela and right fielder Charlie Blackmon in the second inning to leg injuries. St. Louis has won 12 of its last 13 home games and has taken 12 straight from the Rockies at Busch Stadium. Pujols hit his 690th career home run, connecting off Austin Gomber and capping a five-run third that made it 10-0. St. Louis went 5-1 in the games against Colorado and Milwaukee.

Albert Pujols launched a pinch-hit grand slam and drove in five runs, Adam Wainwright pitched seven sharp innings and the St. Louis Cardinals routed the Colorado Rockies 13-0 for a three-game sweep.

Albert Pujols launched a pinch-hit grand slam and drove in five runs, Adam Wainwright pitched seven sharp innings and the St. Louis Cardinals routed the Colorado Rockies 13-0 Thursday for a three-game sweep. “We’re playing right now, I think the way that we were expecting ourselves to play early in the year,” Pujols said. Wainwright called Pujols “incredible.”

Jordan Montgomery blanked his old teammates over five innings and Nolan Arenado drove in the lone run as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Yankees 1-0.

Cubs Cardinals Baseball St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo / Scott Kane) (Scott Kane)ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Adam Wainwright pitched seven spotless innings with longtime catcher Yadier Molina back behind the plate, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0 on Tuesday night. A three-run fifth put St. Louis up 5-0. TRADE DEADLINE MOVESCubs: Acquired minor league RHP Ben Brown from the Philadelphia Phillies for RHP David Robertson. ... Acquired minor league RHP Saúl González from the New York Mets for RHP Mychal Givens.

Adam Wainwright pitched seven spotless innings with longtime catcher Yadier Molina back behind the plate, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0.

The Juan Soto sweepstakes come down to the wire, with baseball’s trade deadline fast approaching at 6 p.m. EDT.

Cardinals Blue Jays Baseball St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols gestures to the dugout after hitting a double off Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Toronto. Facing Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman, Pujols singled in the second and doubled in the fourth. Pujols ranks fifth on baseball’s homer list, 10 behind Alex Rodriguez. The Blue Jays lost nine of their first 11 games this month. Blue Jays: LHP Yusei Kikuchi (3-5, 5.12 ERA) is expected to be activated off the injured list to start Thursday against Detroit.

Albert Pujols hit a three-run homer and finished with three hits, passing Rogers Hornsby on St. Louis’ career list, and the Cardinals stopped Toronto’s seven-game win streak with a 6-1 victory over the Blue Jays on Wednesday night. Adam Wainwright pitched seven sparkling innings to help St. Louis earn a split of the two-game set while playing without unvaccinated sluggers Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado.

(AP Photo/Matt Marton, File) (Matt Marton)CHICAGO — (AP) — Marcus Stroman takes pregame grounders at second base and shortstop. Or Phillies left-hander Ranger Suárez, who leads major league pitchers with five total runs saved, according to The Fielding Bible. Or Aaron Nola, Suárez's teammate in Philadelphia, who tops big league pitchers with six runners caught stealing. But I tried to.”Through Tuesday's games, big league pitchers had committed 191 errors and recorded a .949 fielding percentage, according to Sportradar. They totaled 312 errors and a .952 fielding percentage last year, compared to 137 errors and a .944 fielding percentage during the shortened 2020 season and 373 errors and a .948 percentage in 2019.

When it comes to defense, Chicago Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman says he is "going all out always to make every play.”.

APTOPIX Dodgers Cardinals Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Hanser Alberto celebrates after hitting an RBI single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in St. Louis. Mookie Betts had an RBI double in the eighth and Trea Turner's two-run single cut it to 6-5. Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer and Paul Goldschmidt had a two-run single early for St. Louis, which had won three straight. Liberatore allowed three runs and four hits over 2 1/3 innings of a 7-6 win over the Dodgers on Tuesday. Anderson, who has already set a career high for wins, is 0-2 with a 7.90 ERA against St. Louis.

Hanser Alberto hit a tiebreaking single with two outs in the ninth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers climbed out of a huge hole in a 7-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

The last time Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Kyle Gibson faced the St. Louis Cardinals, they hit four consecutive home runs off him in the first inning.

Nolan Arenado sparked a record barrage of four straight home runs by St. Louis in the first inning, then hit a tiebreaking drive in the ninth that sent the Cardinals over the Philadelphia Phillies 7-6.

Major League Baseball will certainly soon be handing out penalties after the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels got into a huge brawl at Anaheim.

Willson Contreras hit a tiebreaking single in the 10th inning to drive in his third run of the game, and the Chicago Cubs overcame a five-run deficit to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 on Sunday. St. Louis led 5-0 but starter Jack Flaherty left after two innings because of right shoulder tightness, and the Cubs tied the score with a five-run fourth. The Cardinals have lost three of their last four games and seven of their last 10.

American League powerhouses square off when Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees host Yordan Álvarez and the Houston Astros in the opener of a highly anticipated four-game series Thursday night.

Austin Riley and the Atlanta Braves aim for their 15th straight win, which would tie for the longest streak in franchise history in the post-1900 era.

Paul Blackburn continued his road success by pitching sharply into the sixth inning, Christian Bethancourt hit a two-run single and the Oakland Athletics held off the Boston Red Sox 4-3 for just their second victory in 15 games.

APTOPIX Reds Cardinals Baseball St. Louis Cardinals' Tommy Edman (19) celebrates after hitting a walk-off two-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Saturday, June 11, 2022, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 5-4. Cincinnati led 4-1 in the eighth inning but blew a save for the seventh time in 17 chances, and the Cardinals won despite getting outhit 12-7. “Guys competed so well, put us in a great position to win the game,” Reds manager David Bell said. Nick Wittgren (1-0) pitched a one-hit ninth for his first win with St. Louis.

Tommy Edman hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning for the first walkoff RBI of his major league career, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals over Cincinnati 5-4 in yet another Reds bullpen collapse.

Tommy Edman hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning for the first walkoff RBI of his major league career, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals over Cincinnati 5-4 on Saturday in yet another Reds bullpen collapse. “Off the bat, I honestly didn't think it was going to get out,” Edman said. St. Louis pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina made their 316th start together, tying the Boston and Milwaukee Braves’ Warren Spahn and Del Crandall for second-most behind the 324 of Detroit’s Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan.

Yankees pitching has been overwhelming early in games recently, and Jordan Montgomery will try to extend their dominance in an early tilt against the Tigers.

Noah Syndergaard pitches in New York for the first time since leaving the Mets during the offseason, starting the Los Angeles Angels’ series opener at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night.

Josh Hader escaped a ninth-inning jam in his 37th straight scoreless appearance and the Milwaukee Brewers held off the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 for their third straight win.

Minus injured slugger Giancarlo Stanton, the ailing New York Yankees open a four-game series at Tampa Bay — the first meeting this year between the heated AL East rivals.

Giants Cardinals Baseball St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina (4), right, celebrates with teammate Albert Pujols after hitting a two run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, May 15, 2022, in St. Louis. Joc Pederson had a two-run homer for San Francisco, which lost its second in a row after winning six straight. Molina added a two-run homer off reliver Zack Littell in the fifth to push the lead to 11-0. The St. Louis duo has started 311 games together, third all-time behind Spahn/Crandall (316) and Mickey Lolich/Bill Freehan (324) of the Detroit Tigers from 1963-75. Cardinals: RHP Miles Mikolas (3-1, 1.49) faces the Mets in the opener of a four-game set Monday night in New York — weather permitting.

Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina set a major league record for wins by a starting battery as the St. Louis Cardinals routed the San Francisco Giants 15-6 in a game that ended with longtime slugger Albert Pujols on the mound.

Yadier Molina homered and drove in four runs and Adam Wainwright tossed six effective innings to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 15-6 win over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday night that ended with veteran slugger Albert Pujols on the mound. Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado each added a two-run homer for the Cardinals, who took two of three in the series after losing two of three to Baltimore. Goldschmidt drove in three runs.

Phillies star Bryce Harper is scheduled to get a platelet-rich plasma injection to help with a small tear in his right elbow, causing him to miss the series finale at Dodger Stadium. Harper might also miss Philadelphia's home game Tuesday night against San Diego. Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. has missed three straight games because of a sore groin and the team had him undergo an MRI, which was negative.

PLAYING IT SAFEBraves star Ronald Acuña Jr. has missed three straight games because of a sore groin and the team had him undergo an MRI. Acuña missed the second half of last season after the knee injury as Atlanta went on to win the World Series. Acuña is batting .282 with two home runs, five RBIs and five stolen bases in 10 games this season. Perez is the first Rangers lefty since Cole Hamels in 2016 to make four consecutive starts going at least six innings and allowing no more than one earned run. The 33-year-old Pineda is 1-2 with a 3.22 ERA in five starts during his first season with Detroit.

Phillies star Bryce Harper is scheduled to get a platelet-rich plasma injection to help with a small tear in his right elbow, causing him to miss the series finale at Dodger Stadium.

Dakota Hudson and a quartet of relievers combined to help the St. Louis Cardinals stop San Francisco’s six-game winning streak, blanking the Giants 4-0.

Cleveland pitching coach Carl Willis will serve as the team’s acting manager when the coronavirus-hampered Guardians start a three-game series against the Twins at Target Field.

Jordan Binnington made 25 saves and the St. Louis Blues beat the Minnesota Wild 5-1 in Game 6 to advance to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Orioles Cardinals Baseball Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Felix Bautista (74) and catcher Anthony Bemboom (37) celebrate a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in a baseball game Thursday, May 12, 2022, in St. Louis. Bemboom hit his first big league home run since September 2020 in the seventh, and Cedric Mullins added an RBI single off Génesis Cabrera later in the inning for a 3-0 lead. Bryan Baker gave up one hit in 2 1/3 innings of his first big league start. Cardinals: RHP Drew Verhagen (right hip) was set to make his second rehab start Thusday night at Double-A Springfield. Cardinals: RHP Jordan Hicks (1-2, 3.78) is slated to start in Friday's series opener against Francisco.

Rylan Bannon became just the third Baltimore player since 2000 to get a hit on the first pitch of his big league career, Jorge Mateo and Anthony Bemboom homered and the Orioles beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2.

Cardinals Royals Baseball St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, May 4, 2022 in Kansas City, Mo. Nor was Molina going to take the rest of the day off after St. Louis jumped out to a big lead. “He felt terrible (yesterday) and today felt terrible,” Wainwright said of his longtime teammate, who caught him for seven innings of one-hit ball in a 10-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on a cold, damp day at Kauffman Stadium. TRAINER'S ROOMCardinals: No new COVID-19 cases were reported after Sosa and four staff members tested positive and were sent back to St. Louis for quarantine. The Royals have the night off before RHP Carlos Hernandez (0-1, 6.00) opens a three-game set in Baltimore on Friday.

Adam Wainwright pitched seven innings of one-hit ball, Nolan Arenado hit a three-run shot and finished with five RBIs, and the Cardinals beat the Royals 10-0 to take their four-game season series.

Adam Wainwright pitched seven innings of one-hit ball, Nolan Arenado hit a three-run shot and finished with five RBIs, and the St. Louis Cardinals routed the Kansas City Royals 10-0 on Wednesday to take their four-game season series. Wainwright (3-3) allowed just a one-out single to Michael Taylor in the third against the weak-hitting Royals, whose only other baserunners against the 40-year-old right-hander came on a fielder's choice, an error and a walk. Tyler O'Neill hit a two-run homer for St. Louis and finished with three RBIs, one of them coming against struggling Royals starter Kris Bubic (0-3), who retired just one batter before he was pulled after 24 pitches.

Bobby Witt Jr. hit his first major league home run, Brad Keller pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and the Kansas City Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-1 to end a four-game losing streak.

The New York Mets’ hit-by-pitch frustrations boiled over when reliever Yoan López threw a pitch near Nolan Arenado’s head, sparking a benches-clearing brawl that led to Arenado’s ejection in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 10-5 victory.

CINCINNATI — (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds ended an 11-game losing streak, their longest in six years, jumping to a first-inning lead and beating the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 on Sunday as former first-round draft pick Nick Lodolo got his first major league win. Lodolo (1-2), a 24-year-old left-hander selected seventh overall in the 2019 amateur draft, made his third big league start. Santillan and Art Warren combined for 2 1/3 innings shutout innings, and Lucas Sims pitched a perfect ninth for his first save this season. Wainwright (2-2) allowed four runs, eight hits and three walks in five-plus innings, and the Cardinals finished a 6-4 trip. Reds: LHP Reiver Sanmartin (0-2, 7.11) is Tuesday’s scheduled starter against the Padres, who swept a three-game series against Cincinnati last week in San Diego.

White Sox Twins Baseball Chicago White Sox's Eloy Jimenez leaves the field on a cart after falling to the turf on a groundout to the Minnesota Twins in the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Minneapolis. This time, Jiménez was injured when he stretched for first base while running out a grounder to third. Jiménez fell face-first to the ground in shallow right field and immediately grabbed at his right leg. Jiménez was sent for an MRI, but manager Tony La Russa said the team doesn’t feel the injury is season-ending. He finished 6-9 with a 3.62 ERA last season, leading a staff that had the worst ERA in the majors.

The Chicago White Sox likely will have an update on Eloy Jiménez after the slugging outfielder hurt his right hamstring during Saturday’s 9-2 loss at Minnesota.

This time, Jiménez was injured when he stretched for first base while running out a ground ball to third. Jiménez fell face-first to the ground in shallow left field and immediately grabbed at his right leg. Jiménez was sent for an MRI, but manager Tony La Russa said the team doesn’t feel the injury is season-ending. O'S WOESOrioles lefty John Means needs Tommy John surgery, ending the season for Baltimore’s opening-day starter. He finished 6-9 with a 3.62 ERA last season, leading a staff that had the worst ERA in the majors.

Albert Pujols homered for the first time since returning to St. Louis and Andrew Knizner hit a three-run shot as the Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals 6-5.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred gave major league players Bose headphones on opening day as a peace offering after a bitter 99-day lockout that delayed the start of the season.

Pirates Cardinals Baseball St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Albert Pujols tips his cap as he steps up to bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, April 7, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Jeff Roberson)ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Adam Wainwright pitched six scoreless innings, Tyler O'Neill hit a three-run homer and drove in five, and the St. Louis Cardinals celebrated Albert Pujols' return with a 9-0 season-opening win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. Pujols, who signed a one-year deal with St. Louis last month, was 0 for 5. HORSING AROUNDPregame ceremonies featured the traditional parade of Clydesdale horses circling the field in addition to the introduction of 16 members of the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame. Cardinals: Opening the season without RHP Jack Flaherty, who is sidelined with shoulder stiffness.

Adam Wainwright pitched six scoreless innings, Tyler O’Neill hit a three-run homer and drove in five, and the St. Louis Cardinals celebrated Albert Pujols’ return with a 9-0 season-opening win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Clemente Caps Baseball St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright pauses between batters while wearing No. Winners of the Roberto Clemente Award, like Wainwright, will wear his No. Like other winners of the humanitarian award named in memory of Clemente, Cruz will be allowed to wear the late Pittsburgh Pirates star outfielder's uniform number on his cap for the rest of his major league career. In addition to Cruz, active Clemente winners include Carlos Carrasco (Mets), Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers), Andrew McCutchen (Brewers), Anthony Rizzo (Yankees) and Yadier Molina, Albert Pujols and Adam Wainwright (Cardinals). “The Roberto Clemente Award is easily the best award I've won in my career,” Rizzo said.

Winners of the Roberto Clemente Award will wear his No. 21 on the back of their caps for the rest of their major league careers.

Cubs veteran Kyle Hendricks is set to deliver the first pitch of the season against Corbin Burnes and Milwaukee at Wrigley Field just past 2:20 p.m. EDT, the first of seven games still on the calendar amid rainy forecasts across the country.

There's a lot to catch up on from a bizarre baseball offseason before the 2022 season officially begins with first pitch at Wrigley Field.

Albert Pujols will be in the starting lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates when he begins his final big league season Thursday in what should be an emotional return to Busch Stadium.

Albert Pujols will be in the starting lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates when he begins his final big league season Thursday in what should be an emotional return to Busch Stadium. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Monday that Pujols, who signed a $2.5 million contract to return to the club where he became a star, will be the designated hitter for his 22nd consecutive opening day start. “I don’t want to set expectations because I like to be surprised, so I’m just going to enjoy it," Pujols said as he headed into the last few days of spring training in Jupiter, Florida.

Primed to become the most prolific battery in baseball history, St. Louis Cardinals stars Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina didn’t always agree on everything. During one of their earliest outings at Triple-A Memphis, Wainwright kept shaking off Molina’s signs. After the game, Wainwright said the catcher got in his face.

Yadier Molina is back, and both he and the St. Louis Cardinals couldn’t be happier. After missing the first week of camp for personal reasons, the 39-year-old Molina arrived at the Cardinals' complex on Monday for what will likely be his final spring training. “It’s been tough the last couple of months but everything is all right right now,” Molina said.

Rob Manfred and major league players agree on at least one thing: the commissioner has failed in fostering their icy relationship.

There are no more bargaining sessions on the calendar.

Cardinals Dodgers Baseball St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) leaves the field after the Los Angeles Dodgers won a National League Wild Card playoff baseball game 3-1 Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (Marcio Jose Sanchez)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — That record streak in September meant little for the St. Louis Cardinals in a postseason that ended with one hanging slider. Cardinals teammate Adam Wainwright gave Reyes a big hug in the clubhouse after the game. St. Louis was under .500 as late as Aug. 10 and didn’t take off until a franchise-record 17-game winning streak in September. “We played a good team tonight.”Turner’s homer countered the Cardinals’ run in the first, when Edman scored on a wild pitch.

That record winning streak in September meant little for the St. Louis Cardinals in a postseason that ended with one hanging slider.

A stunning September meant little for the St. Louis Cardinals in postseason that ended with one hanging slider. Alex Reyes gave up a game-ending home run to Chris Taylor just after entering the game in the ninth inning, a drive that gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a 3-1 win Wednesday night and sent the Cardinals home. Reyes, a 27-year-old right-hander, entered after T.J. McFarland walked Cody Bellinger with two outs.

Alex Reyes came in to face Taylor, who sent a 2-1 pitch into the left-field pavilion, triggering an explosion of cheers. Scherzer's wild pitch led to a run in the first and he hit Harrison Bader in the fourth. St. Louis led 1-0 when Edman scored on Scherzer’s wild pitch. Former Cardinal Joe Kelly got out of the jam after Goldschmidt reached third on Kelly's wild pitch. The Dodgers had Wainwright on the ropes in the third, loading the bases with one out.

Chris Taylor hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Los Angeles Dodgers over the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 in a scintillating NL wild-card game.

The Cardinals play the Los Angeles Dodgers in wild card playoff game on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) (Kyusung Gong)A look at what's happening around the majors today:___WILD OUT WESTThe 106-win Los Angeles Dodgers put their season on the line in the NL wild-card game against the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals. CALLING IT A DAYUmpire Joe West is set to work behind the plate in the NL wild-card game as his long, colorful career nears an end. The Rays will host Boston, a 6-2 winner over the rival Yankees in the AL wild-card game. Tampa Bay announced Tuesday that rookie left-hander Shane McClanahan will start Game 1 and rookie righty Shane Baz will go in Game 2.

Cardinals Brewers Baseball St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright throws to the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, in Milwaukee. Indeed, though neither team wanted to be in the position of playing in the NL wild-card game. The relative absurdity of the defending World Series champions having to play a dangerous wild-card game after winning that many games doesn’t bother Scherzer. Scherzer and the Washington Nationals beat Wainwright and the Cardinals in Game 2 of the 2019 NL Championship Series. Just do what he does.”While a sellout crowd rides the emotional roller coaster of an elimination game, Scherzer will stay well within himself.

Cardinals Dodgers Baseball St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright responds to a question during a baseball news conference in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. The Cardinals play the Los Angeles Dodgers in wild card playoff game on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) (Kyusung Gong)A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:___WILD OUT WESTThe 106-win Los Angeles Dodgers put their season on the line in the NL wild-card game against the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is from the St. Louis suburb of Chesterfield. They announced Tuesday that rookie left-hander Shane McLanahan would start Game 1 and rookie righty Shane Baz would go in Game 2.

Sports Pulse: A wild card game bring the yankees and red sox face to face

St. Louis pitcher Adam Wainwright is guaranteed $17.5 million under his 2022 contract with the Cardinals, more than double his $8 million salary this year. Wainwright has the right to block any trade as a 10-year veteran who has spent five seasons with his team. Wainwright has spent all 16 of his big league seasons with the Cardinals.

Paul Goldschmidt hit a walk-off RBI single in the ninth inning, and the playoff-bound St. Louis Cardinals won for the 19th time in their last 20 games, 4-3 over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night. Tyler O'Neill homered twice and threw out the potential go-ahead run in the ninth inning for the Cardinals, who will play either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the San Francisco Giants in the NL wild-card game. Dakota Hudson made his first start for the Cardinals in more than a year, allowing three hits in five scoreless innings.

Longtime St. Louis ace Adam Wainwright will return next season, the club announced five days ahead of his next big start for the Cardinals. The 40-year-old Wainwright and the Cardinals reached agreement on a one-year contract for 2022, the team said before Friday night's game against the Chicago Cubs. Financial terms were not disclosed.

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (Ross D. Franklin)OCTOBER OPENERClayton Kershaw starts at Dodger Stadium against Milwaukee to begin a season-ending, three-game series in a possible playoff preview. Max Muncy and Los Angeles are assured at least a wild-card spot — they're trying to overtake San Francisco in the NL West. New York opens a three-game series in the Bronx against the AL East-champion Rays fighting with Boston, Toronto and Seattle for two AL wild cards. Ohtani has 45 home runs, has scored 101 times and is batting .259 going into a season-ending, three-game series at Seattle. Wainwright will face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the San Francisco Giants on the road in an all-or-nothing matchup scheduled for Wednesday night.

Brewers Cardinals Baseball St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Giovanny Gallegos celebrates after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in a baseball game to clinch a playoff spot Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, in St. Louis. St. Louis will play in the NL wild-card game on Oct. 6 at the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Francisco, whichever does not win the NL West. The Cardinals are on the longest winning streak from Sept. 1 on since the 1935 Chicago Cubs won 21 in a row. Wainwright (17-7) allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings, throwing 102 pitches and stranding seven runners. Cardinals: RHP Miles Mikolas (2-2, 4.15 ERA)is 5-1 in his career against the Brewers.He logged a season-high seven innings pitched last Wednesday at Milwaukee.

Dylan Carlson, Nolan Arenado and Jose Rondon homered to back Adam Wainwright, and the St. Louis Cardinals extended their winning streak to 17 games and clinched an NL wild card berth with a 6-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night. St. Louis will play in the NL wild-card game on Oct. 6 at the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Francisco, whichever does not win the NL West. The postseason trip will be the third in a row for the Cardinals.

Orioles Phillies Baseball Philadelphia Phillies' Zack Wheeler pitches during the first inning of an interleague baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, in Philadelphia. We have a shot.”Atlanta has led the division since Aug. 15 and is trying to win it for the fourth straight year. ONE MORE FOR THE PRIZEThe soaring Cardinals have won a club-record 16 consecutive games heading into their series opener at home against NL Central champion Milwaukee. A victory over the Brewers, or losses by Philadelphia and Cincinnati, gives St. Louis the second NL wild card for its third straight playoff berth. With a victory, the AL East champion Rays (97-59) clinch home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs.

Orioles Phillies Baseball Philadelphia Phillies' Zack Wheeler pitches during the first inning of an interleague baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, in Philadelphia. Charlie Morton (13-6, 3.53) is on the mound for the Braves, who lead the NL East by 2 1/2 games over the Phillies with a few days left in the season. ONE MORE FOR THE PRIZEThe soaring Cardinals have won a club-record 16 consecutive games heading into their series opener at home against NL Central champion Milwaukee. A victory over the Brewers, or losses by Philadelphia and Cincinnati, gives St. Louis the second NL wild card for its third straight playoff berth. With a victory, the AL East champion Rays (97-59) clinch home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs.

Paul Goldschmidt homered twice, and the St. Louis Cardinals overcame a five-run deficit to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-5 Thursday and extend their longest winning streak in 39 years to 12 games. On a day Adam Wainwright faltered early, St. Louis trailed 5-0 before rallying with one run in the fifth, four in the seventh, two in the eighth and one in the ninth. “They picked me up big time today,” Wainwright said of his teammates.