Adam Wainwright takes another step toward October comeback

The headlines in April said Adam Wainwright was likely out for the season when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon but playoff baseball doesn't seem to be out of the question for the St. Louis Cardinals pitcher.

Wainwright threw 25 pitches to teammates Wednesday and came away feeling even better than he already did about his speedy recovery from an injury that generally requires close to a year to overcome. The next step could be Wainwright throwing a simulated game without a net in front of him allowing him to field his position the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Being able to field his position is the key element in whether Wainwright will have any chance to get back on the mound and attempt to help the Cardinals reach and win the World Series. He will have to prove he can field bunts and cover first base to move the conversation about a return to the next step.

Wainwright can take a measure of encouragement from Toronto hurler Marcus Stroman who is back on the mound pitching at a high level six months after suffering a torn ACL. While they are two different injuries, both require some major dedication to rehab and a fierce desire to get back on the mound to overcome so quickly. Apparently Stroman and Wainwright both have that desire, even if Wainwright doesn't quite get there.

St. Louis has never appeared to be in jeopardy of falling out of the lead in the National League Central but it certainly has had a tough September as compared to the rest of the season. With catcher Yadier Molina battling injury now, adding Wainwright to the active roster could be a big boost when the postseason begins or even deeper into the playoffs.

The Cardinals' ace is a three-time All-Star and knows a thing or two about winning a world championship, having won it with the Cardinals in 2006 and losing to Boston in 2013. However, Wainwright has been on the wrong side of his past four postseason decisions. He last recorded a postseason win against Pittsburgh in the 2013 NLDS.

Even if Wainwright only pitches out of the bullpen in his possible return, it would be a signifcant boost to the team's title hopes. And it's looking more and more realistic with each passing week.

“We’ll just kind of watch and see what it looks like,” manager Mike Matheny told the Post-Dispatch. “It has to look right. It has to feel right. And it has to fit with what we’re doing. I’m just happy we’re having this discussion.”