Cards in wait-and-see mode with ailing Carpenter
The St. Louis Cardinals looked like legitimate contenders in the National League during the season’s first week or so, but Tuesday night’s developments have put a huge dent in the Cards’ future.
Ace pitcher Chris Carpenter was on the mound for St. Louis that night in Arizona. He was cruising along, having shut out the Diamondbacks over three innings on four hits. But then it happened when the Cards came to bat in the top of the fourth: another Carpenter injury.
The right-hander was injured grounding out to third base to end the top of the fourth. Carpenter went to the mound to warm up before the bottom of the inning, then called for a trainer before being pulled. The early diagnosis? A strained left oblique. That means at least a month on the sideline, maybe two.
“If it’s not bad, it’s four (weeks),” manager Tony La Russa said. “If it’s bad, it’s eight. I have no idea. Just keep our fingers crossed.”
Carpenter will undergo an MRI exam on Thursday or Friday to determine just how significant the injury is.
It’s a shame, because Carpenter hadn’t allowed a run in 10 innings this season. He opened the season with a dazzling display against the Pirates, not allowing a hit until the seventh inning in getting the win.
That was his first victory since the 2006 World Series – he had been limited to just five games in the past two seasons because of right elbow and shoulder injuries. At least this injury is not related to those, but this will be the ninth trip to the DL in Carpenter’s career.
‘I’ve talked enough about how important he is,” La Russa said of Carpenter to reporters.
Carpenter’s next start was scheduled to be Sunday against the Cubs – bet on it at WagerWeb.com.
Instead, the Cards will promote 2006 draft pick P.J. Walters from Triple-A to start Friday against the Cubs – bet on the game at WagerWeb.com – and move back Kyle Lohse and Todd Wellemeyer one day.
According to GM John Mozeliak, the team has no plans to make a trade or consider a free agent like Pedro Martinez – yet.
“How we handle it will be something that we can look at over the next couple weeks,” Mozeliak said. “As far as changing the course now, that’s not something we’re going to do. … Once we determine how long he’ll be out we’ll react accordingly.”
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