Adam Wainwright's new five-year, $97.5 million contract extension includes a no-trade clause. The five-year pact was agreed to Wednesday night and officially announced at a press conference Thursday morning at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. Wainwright was emotional while thanking the Cardinals organization, his teammates and his family. He will start on Opening Day -- April 1 -- against the Diamondbacks and should be a fantasy ace for many years to come. "Waino" is property of the Cardinals through 2018.

Cardinals and RHP Adam Wainwright have agreed to a five-year, $97.5 million extension through 2018, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals and Adam Wainwright "continue to accelerate" negotiations on a contract extension. There's a mutually understood deadline of Opening Day, but sources from both sides have expressed optimism that an agreement will get done. Wainwright, 31, is currently due to become a free agent following the 2013 season. He's thought to be looking for a five-year deal.

Adam Wainwright's agent met for several hours Thursday with the Cardinals, continuing long-term extension talks. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the agent, Steve Hammond, "left the meeting with the sense both sides have an interest and an urgency in reaching an agreement." Wainwright is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2013 season. The 31-year-old righty owns a stellar 3.15 career WHIP and is now two years removed from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery.

Adam Wainwright limited the Nationals to one run and three hits over six innings to win Friday. Wainwright gave up five runs in his second outing of the spring, but he's excelled in the other three. He seems ready for Opening Day, though he has a couple of more spring starts to go.

Adam Wainwright has been named the Cardinals' Opening Day starter. It was an obvious choice even before Chris Carpenter had a recurrence of his neck/shoulder issues. Wainwright took a while to get going in 2012 in his first year back from Tommy John surgery, but he was pretty much back to himself by the end of the season and should be a fantasy ace in 2013. The righty will face Ian Kennedy and the D'Backs on April 1.

Adam Wainwright struck out six in 4 2/3 scoreless innings Saturday as the Cardinals shut out a Marlins split-squad 2-0. Cards pitchers fanned 10 Marlins in all. Wainwright gave up two homers and eight hits in a sloppy outing last time out, but he's pitched well in two of his three starts this spring, giving him a 3.48 ERA.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak indicated Thursday that the team and Adam Wainwright would like a resolution in contract talks by Opening Day if possible. Negotiations hit a lull at the start of spring training, but dialogue between the two sides is ongoing. While it would be ideal to get something done before the start of the season, Wainwright hasn't set an official deadline on talks. The 31-year-old right-hander is due to hit free agency following the 2013 season and reportedly seeks at least a five-year deal.

Adam Wainwright's extension talks with the Cardinals could resume soon after his agent, Steve Hammond, returned Monday from a 10-day trip to Israel. The two sides were unable to get on the same page at the start of spring training, but both sides have expressed an eagerness at getting something done before Opening Day. Wainwright, who has not set a deadline for talks, is believed to be looking for at least a five-year deal, while the Cards would prefer a shorter pact with a higher average annual value. The 31-year-old is currently slated to hit free agency after the 2013 season.

Adam Wainwright was rocked by the Nationals on Saturday, giving up five runs -- four earned -- and eight hits in three innings. Anthony Rendon homered in the second, and Chris Marrero took Wainwright deep in the third. Perhaps it had something to do with Wainwright working on his changeup today. He has a 6.35 ERA after two spring starts.