Wainwright had his elbow examined Friday but everything came back fine, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. It's a bit concerning that Wainwright needed his elbow examined given his history with Tommy John surgery, but everything came back fine so it appears there is nothing to worry about. General Manager John Mozeliak said Wainwright "should have a normal offseason," giving additional confidence that the Cardinals' ace should be fine.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Thursday that Wainwright is "perfectly fine," Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. It doesn't seems as though the skipper is being entirely truthful, as Matheny acknowledged just earlier this week that Wainwright "has been fighting it" physically. However, Wainwright threw a successful bullpen session Thursday, easing concerns about his elbow in advance of his Game 1 start in the NLCS this Saturday.

The Cardinals will have Lance Lynn ready Saturday for Game 1 of the NLCS if Wainwright is a late scratch or can't go deep into the game, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. After a scare earlier this week regarding Wainwright's elbow, he's set to start Saturday, but the Cards are on high alert.

Wainwright will start Game 1 of the NLCS on Saturday, Stan McNeal of FOXSportsMidwest.com reports. Wainwright certainly didn't look like himself in Game 1 of the Division Series, giving up six runs on 11 hits in just 4.1 innings, and manager Mike Matheny later admitted that the right-hander "has been fighting it" physically. While Matheny did not elaborate as to the exact nature of his current issue, Wainwright did deal with elbow tendinitis earlier in the season. Regardless, Wainwright said he would have been ready had the NLDS gone to five games, but he will instead go Saturday in Game 1 of the Championship Series, now that the Cardinals have officially punched their ticket.

Wainwright will start Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Friday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports. This was widely assumed, even before the Cardinals scratched Wainwright from his scheduled start last Sunday, but manager Mike Matheny confirmed that Wainwright will oppose Clayton Kershaw in Friday's series opener. Wainwright, who tossed a complete game but took the loss to the Dodgers in his lone start against them in the regular season, will be followed by Lance Lynn, John Lackey and Shelby Miller.

Wainwright has officially been scratched from his scheduled start Sunday, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports. Wainwright stopped warming up immediately after the Cardinals found out they were NL Central champions, with Nick Greenwood taking his place in the bullpen. Wainwright will most likely make his next scheduled start in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers.

Wainwright stopped warming up and returned to the clubhouse prior to his scheduled start Sunday, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports. Wainwright was originally scheduled to take the hill for the Cardinals on Sunday, but following the Pirates' loss to the Reds, St. Louis has officially clinched the NL Central division. Nick Greenwood is now warming in up Wainwright's place, and appears to be the likely candidate to start over the Cardinal's ace in Sunday's regular season finale. This would leave Wainwright open to start Game 1 of the NLDS, where he'll likely square off against Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers.

The Cardinals plan to start Wainwright on Sunday regardless of whether or not they clinch the NL Central Saturday night, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports. Wainwright would still be able to start Game 1 of the NLDS on normal rest if he pitches Sunday, so it appears he will take the ball as scheduled, even though a Cardinals victory Saturday night would render Sunday's game relatively meaningless. Those planning to start Wainwright on Sunday should be sure to check out the result of Saturday's game, however, as Wainwright could be removed from his start earlier than usual if the Cardinals have the division in hand.

Wainwright continued his dominance Monday, going seven shutout innings to earn his 20th win of the season. The righty has been sensational after allowing four runs in his first start of the month, allowing two runs in 33 innings. The owner of a 2.38 ERA, Wainwright will make his final regular season start this weekend in Arizona.

Wainwright scattered seven hits while shutting out the Brewers on Wednesday. He walked two and struck out seven en route to his 19th win. The Cardinals ace was fantastic in a big NL Central matchup, keeping the Brewers five games out and Pittsburgh two-and-a-half back. Wainwright has won all four of his September starts and leads the league with 19 victories on the season. The right-hander faces the Cubs on Monday.