Cards' Wainwright returns to mound for simulated game

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright returned to the mound Wednesday, throwing a simulated game.

Wainwright tore his left Achilles tendon during an April 25 start, at which time he was all but ruled out for the season. However, he recently expressed optimism that he would be ready to return in a relief role before the end of the regular season.

He was medically cleared on Monday and wasted no time getting back in action and shaking off the rust.

In four starts before suffering the injury, Wainwright was 2-1 with a 1.44 ERA. He has finished in the top three in the NL Cy Young Award voting four times since the 2009 season.