First it was a bulging disc, but Chris Carpenter still was slated to start on Opening Day for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Chris Carpenter Injury: Out Indefinitely With Shoulder Problem
Now, not so much. Carpenter has been re-evaluated in St. Louis, and will be out of action indefinitely with nerve irritation in his pitching shoulder. The good news is that he’s dealt with this injury before, and always come back without needing surgery.
Here’s GM John Mozeliak, via Stltoday.com’s Joe Strauss:
So whether it’s rest or some sort of treatment program that we’ve done in the past to get him back, it does not appear to be... anything surgical or we know that if we have to take that next step, he’s done for the year. None of that is on the table.”
This could obviously be a lot worse, but it's still a blow to the Cardinals, who were obviously looking forward to having Carpenter and Adam Wainwright in their rotation for the first time since 2010. But Carpenter's struggled with this injury a number of times before, and he did throw 273 innings last season, including the postseason. So maybe we shouldn't be surprised that he's hurt once again.
Carpenter's injury will only renew speculation that the Cardinals might pursue Roy Oswalt, but for now Carpenter's slot in the rotation will be taken by Lance Lynn, who spent most of last season in the bullpen.
For more on the Cardinals and Carpenter, please visit Viva el Birdos.
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