Wainwright wants to play with Cardinals in 2021: 'I'm not done yet'

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright isn't ready to hang up his cleats, whether the 2020 MLB season happens or not.

"I'm not done yet," the 38-year-old pitcher said, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. "I've got more in the tank. That can change on any day. But I'm having way too much fun doing what I'm doing. My wife loves St. Louis. My family loves St. Louis. As long as (the Cardinals) will have me, I'd love to play again next year."

Wainwright believes the work stoppage caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has sparked a fire in many players.

"It has made a lot of people realize how much we love the game of baseball," the three-time All-Star said. "I'm definitely one of those people. If this had happened two years ago, I would have retired so fast it wouldn't have been a second thought. ... Health has brought me back into a place of not wanting to be done yet.

"When health was an issue, and my arm hurt taking a spoonful of cereal, I knew it was maybe time to hang it up. But now that it doesn't hurt anymore, hurt when I throw a ball, hurt when I'm lifting, I'm having fun again."

Wainwright, who signed a one-year contract in November 2019, owns a career 3.39 ERA across 14 MLB seasons with the Cardinals. His 162 wins rank fourth in franchise history, while his 1,776 strikeouts sit second behind Bob Gibson.