Adam Wainwright scattered four hits over 2 2/3 scoreless innings Monday in his start against the Astros. He struck out three. Wainwright had a fantastic spring last year in his return from Tommy John surgery, only to stumble in April. It doesn't seem likely that it's the start of a trend.

According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "conversations continue to occur" between the Cardinals front office and right-hander Adam Wainwright. Both sides indicated last week that there was a stall in the negotiations, but that's apparently not the case. Strauss notes that there was a similar "pause" last spring before the Cardinals announced a five-year, $75 million contract extension with Yadier Molina. Wainwright is hoping to have some kind of resolution by Opening Day.

According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals and Adam Wainwright have put extension talks on hold. The two sides have had preliminary talks within the past week, but they haven't made much progress. However, Wainwright hasn't set a deadline and is optimistic that something could still get done. "It doesn't mean that it's over," said Wainwright. "The doors are still open. It just didn't work out right now. . All that means is we couldn't come to a number that worked for both sides as of yet." The 31-year-old right-hander is currently due to become a free agent following the 2013 season and will likely want a contract rivaling Matt Cain's five-year, $112.5 million deal with the Giants.

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals and Adam Wainwright's agent, Steve Hammond, have had "casual" but ongoing extension talks. The talks are expected to intensify once spring training officially gets underway. Wainwright has not set a deadline for the talks, but both sides have expressed an eagerness to get something done, so it would be a surprise if negotiations dragged into the season. The right-hander is currently slated to hit free agency after the 2013 season.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Adam Wainwright's agent, Steve Hammond, has not informed him of a deadline regarding extension talks with his client. "It's a little more open-ended," Mozeliak said. "It doesn't look like we've had any dialogue to this point (with) any lines drawn in the sand. We'll see the next four weeks and see where we go." The two sides engaged in preliminary extension talks towards the end of the 2012 season, but Wainwright decided to table them because he didn't want it to be a distraction. He did say, though, that he "liked where it was headed." The 32-year-old seems likely to seek a deal in the range of Matt Cain's five-year, $112.5 million contract.

Adam Wainwright and his agent Steve Hammond engaged the Cardinals in talks regarding a contract extension during the 2012 season, but but them off to avoid any possible distractions. Both sides have expressed an interest in working out an extension before Wainwright hits free agency after the 2013 season. He'll undoubtedly be seeking a comparable deal to Zack Greinke or Matt Cain's deal, and the Cardinals would be wise to oblige to keep the talented right-hander in town.

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals and Adam Wainwright's agent, Steve Hammond, have not had "substantive" extension talks yet this offseason. Hammond did say that he expects to discuss an extension with the Cardinals during spring training. Wainwright is entering the final year of his contract, and both he and the Cards have expressed an interest in working out an extension this offseason. Hammond will no doubt be using Zack Greinke's and Matt Cain's deals as comps when determining an asking price for his client. Wainwright, 31, wasn't quite himself in 2012 in his first year back from Tommy John surgery, but he finished in the top-3 in NL Cy Young voting in 2009 and 2010.

Adam Wainwright said Sunday that he wants to stay in St. Louis and is ready to begin extension talks. Wainwright is under contract through 2013 but will be a free agent after that. "In brief talks with (Cardinals executives) they feel real good about me coming back for a long time, and I want to make that happen," the 31-year-old right-hander said. "I don't see any reason why we shouldn't make that happen." It seems feasible that a long-term deal can be worked out this winter.

Cardinals skipper Mike Matheny indicated on Saturday that the team is still discussing the possibility of Adam Wainwright being available in the bullpen should the Giants force a seventh game in the NLCS. Wainwright delivered a brilliant performance in Thursday's Game 4 victory over the Giants and would be another very valuable weapon in an already intimidating bullpen. He has plenty of experience in that role as well, pitching in nine games and racking up five saves while allowing no runs in 9 2/3 innings of work during the 2006 postseason.

Adam Wainwright rebounded from his NLDS Game 5 disaster, tossing seven innings of one-run ball in Thursday's 8-3 NLCS Game 4 win over the Giants. Hunter Pence turned on a Wainwright fastball in the second inning for a long solo homer, but the Giants didn't pose much of a challenge to Waino after that. The tall right-hander gave up just four hits on the night, didn't walk anyone and struck out five. He's now sandwiched two terrific postseason efforts around his blowup versus the Nationals in Game 5 of the NLDS and boasts a 20/3 K/BB ratio over 15 innings. The Cards will send Lance Lynn to the hill Friday in hopes of punching their ticket to a second straight World Series.