When Chris Carpenter had to leave a Cardinals game with an injury last Tuesday, there was a high degree of panic, as the team had already lost Adam Wainwright for the season. So when news came back that Carpenter only had a hamstring strain, everyone was relieved. A hamstring strain? Hamstring strains are minor. "Carpenter should be back in no time at all."
Chris Carpenter Injury Not Healing As Hoped; Hamstring Acts Up In Bullpen
And indeed, a hamstring strain isn't as big a deal as, say, an elbow or shoulder injury. That Carpenter only hurt his hamstring was a break for the Cardinals. But that hamstring isn't quite healing as Carpenter and the Cardinals would like it to. While throwing a bullpen on Sunday, Carpenter felt a "twinge" in the muscle, which is never a good sign.
Carpenter had been scheduled to start this coming Friday after missing his last turn, but now that’s looking doubtful. And the more time Carpenter misses, the less likely it is that he’ll be good to go come Opening Day. Starting the first game of the season isn’t out of the question just yet, but it’s also now far from a certainty.
Behind Carpenter, Jaime Garcia and Jake Westbrook are the team's next two top options.
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