Chicago Cubs lefty Tsuyoshi Wada, who is recovering from a sore left thigh, will miss the team's opening game of the regular season on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday.

Maddon said Wada will either go on the disabled list or join one of Chicago's minor league teams.

The 34-year-old Wada, a candidate for the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation, hurt his left thigh after getting only two outs in an exhibition game against the Cleveland Indians on March 13.

He made a favorable recovery and was scheduled to pitch against a minor league team on Thursday, but will not make the start of the season.

"I've only thrown 1⅔ innings in the open season," said Wada, who went 4-4 with a 3.25 ERA in 13 starts last season.

"To return to the starting rotation I need to be throwing 20 to 30 pitches. I need to get two get solid results in one or two games before moving up. I'll be ready when I'm throwing pitches that are good enough to make them want Wada back."