JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Adam Wainwright won’t pitch in exhibition games until mid-March because of his abdominal strain, a delay that could prevent the St. Louis Cardinals ace from starting the major league season opener at the Chicago Cubs on April 5.’

Wainwright was hurt Monday while putting a 45-pound weight back on a rack. He returned to St. Louis for an examination by Dr. Michael Brunt, who said the injury was minor. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny is open to the idea of pushing back Wainwright’s season debut a couple of days if the right-hander doesn’t respond to proscribed rest as quickly as doctors expect.