The St. Louis Cardinals looked like they had everything ready for one final good run in 2011, before Albert Pujols hits the free agent market. Unfortunately, they have now received possibly the worst news they could hear outside of Pujols signing elsewhere.

Adam Wainwright, ace pitcher for the Cardinals, is being sent back to St. Louis to have tests done on his elbow, and Tommy John surgery is likely. If this is the case, then he’s done for the 2011 season.

Besides dashing playoff hopes for the season (the Reds and Brewers make this a very tough division), this could throw a wrench in the works on the Albert Pujols contract situation. How will this injury affect Pujols’ re-signing with the Cardinals?

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