Report: Wainwright going back to St. Louis to meet with doctors

Things have gone from bad to worse for Adam Wainwright.

At 35, the St. Louis Cardinals right-hander has hit a fairly steep decline in his production. In Thursday's start against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he lasted only three innings, allowing five runs on seven hits while not recording a strikeout.

It turns out his arm may have been giving him issues. Wainwright will reportedly return to St. Louis to meet with team doctors about a possible arm injury, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold.

Wainwright is in the midst of the worst season of his career. Through 23 starts, he's posted a 5.12 ERA and has issued 3.26 walks per nine innings, both career highs. Despite his struggles, he has compiled a record of 12-5. Even in Thursday's abysmal start, the Cardinals' offense rallied for 11 runs to spare him a defeat.

As important as he's been to the franchise since his 2006 rookie campaign, Wainwright does have a bit of an injury history. He missed all of 2011 following Tommy John surgery and most of 2015 with an Achilles injury. While he recovered strongly from Tommy John, he hasn't been the same pitcher over the past two seasons.

Even in his absence, the Cardinals rotation doesn't appear to be in dire straits with the likes of Carlos Martinez, Lance Lynn, and Michael Wacha healthy. Wainwright's next scheduled start is for Wednesday, Aug. 23 against the San Diego Padres.