PHILADELPHIA • Moments after allowing a home run that broke an early game tie, Cardinals starter Michael Wacha had to leave Wednesday's game against the Phillies because of a muscle strain in his torso.
The muscle runs along the side of the rib cage and can make it difficult to breathe comfortably, let alone pitch or hit. The severity of the strain will determine how long Wacha will miss, though for hitters it can sideline them for as much as a month. That would cause Wacha to need some time to rebuild his arm strength to start as well.