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Wainwright signs four-year contract
STORY TOOLS 
More from MLBPitcher Adam Wainwright and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed Thursday to a $15 million, four-year contract, a deal that includes two option years and could be worth up to $36 million.
The Cardinals renewed Wainwright's contract at $448,000 earlier this month, while continuing to negotiate on a long-term deal. The right-hander is the likely opening-day starter, although the team has not made an announcement.
The 26-year-old Wainwright went 14-12 with a 3.70 ERA in his first year in the rotation after serving as the closer in the 2006 World Series. His win total is the best in franchise history for a first-year starter, and his 2.71 ERA after the All-Star break was third-best in the National League.
Nationals release Patterson: John Patterson surprisingly was cut by the Washington Nationals, a little more than a week before the season begins.
Patterson was Washington's opening day starter in 2007. But he missed much of the last two seasons because of right forearm problems, limiting him to 15 starts in 2006 and 2007 combined. He had surgery in September to repair a nerve problem.
Still, he was considered in contention to get the start against the Atlanta Braves on March 30, when the Nationals begin this season at their new ballpark.
Rays' Upton hit by pitch on left elbow, leaves game: Tampa Bay Rays slugger B.J. Upton left the game after he was hit on the left elbow by a pitch from Cleveland right-hander Paul Byrd in the first inning.
A team spokesman said a preliminary diagnosis was that the outfielder had a triceps contusion, and had returned to the team's training camp in St. Petersburg to be examined by Dr. Koco Eaton, the Rays' orthopedic physician.
Upton, the second overall pick in the 2002 draft, entered hitting .357 with one homer and nine RBIs in 13 spring games. He was in the lineup against the Indians as the DH, batting in the cleanup spot.
The 23-year-old Upton hit .300 with 24 homers and 82 RBIs last year.
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