"Beloved outfielder Jim Edmonds never made it to Cardinals camp for his tryout, retiring from baseball due to foot problems without ever taking another swing.

Infielder Nick Punto made it Cards camp, but immediately pulled up lame with a sports hernia. He could be sidelined for two months.

Now comes word that staff ace Adam Wainwright might soon hear the prognosis every pitcher dreads: "Tommy John surgery."

All this news -- following the team's failure to secure Albert Pujols with a contract extensionb -- leaves Cardinal Nation in a state of full-scale panic.

The Cards have yet to play an exhibition game and their season is already falling apart. Latest reports from Jupiter indicate that the sky hasn't fallen yet, but the cloud cover has become ominous.

Hug your loved ones while you still can!

In the reloaded National League Central, the Cards face their toughest fight in many years. Severe injuries will make that task so much harder.

This organization faces an epic major test this spring, from top to bottom.

Without Wainwright, the Cards would lose their starting pitching edge. Fellow ace Chris Carpenter showed signs of wear and tear last season. Jaime Garcia won't sneak up on hitters during his second full tour and veterans Jake Westbook and Kyle Lohse are low- to mid-rotation guys."