Cardinals get best possible news in regard to Wainwright's abdominal issue

ST. LOUIS -- Breathe easier, Cardinals fans.

Ace Adam Wainwright is OK.

That was the message that general manager John Mozeliak shared with reporters at the team's spring training base in Jupiter, Florida, on Thursday afternoon. After returning to St. Louis to have his abdominal soreness examined, Wainwright was prescribed rest and ordered to take it easy.

No sports hernia, no surgery, no big deal.

"He is dealing with an abdominal strain, which rules out a lot of things that we were guessing about," Mozeliak told the assembled media. "Best news we could have gotten. He should be full-go in a couple of weeks."

Wainwright is expected to return to Florida and be back in camp on Friday, Mozeliak said. He can continue to throw but will be limited in his other work. This could mean Wainwright will not be able to make the five spring training starts he was hoping to, but he's still in play for another Opening Day assignment.

The Cardinals have said they were planning to limit Wainwright in spring training anyway, as a precaution following offseason cleanup surgery on his right elbow and his workload over the past two seasons.

Wainwright told reporters in Florida on Wednesday that he suffered the injury moving a 45-pound weight plate in the gym a couple of weeks ago. While he said he could walk pain-free, running was even less enjoyable than usual.

The Cardinals open the exhibition season next Thursday against the Marlins.

"Adam is relieved," Mozeliak told the media.

So, too, is Cardinals Nation.

Check out these images from Cardinals spring training in Jupiter.

You can follow Stan McNeal on Twitter at @StanMcNeal or email him at stanmcneal@gmail.com.