Adam Wainwright will make his first spring training start for the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves.

Wainwright had a mild abdominal strain early in spring training. He has thrown a pair of bullpen sessions since the injury, including about 40 pitches in a simulated game Monday.

The right-hander plans to throw another bullpen session on Thursday, and manager Mike Matheny expects him to toss 50-60 pitches Saturday.