Chris Carpenter's Future ?

[Fan_In_NY]

It takes longer to get conditioned to be a starter than a reliever. Since the Cards are in no big rush to bring him back it makes total sense to have him stretch out to be a starter. In a month from now when he is winding down his rehab appearances the Cards will see where the need is and make the adjustment if necessary.

[JoeMcKim]

Last year when he came back I think he would've been better off only being used as a bullpen guy.

[crash22]

I have heard a lot made about the fact that Carp said he will do a rehab stint in minors and that he should have done it last year. Didn't he come back after the minor leagues seasons were done?

[Jmodene]

I have heard a lot made about the fact that Carp said he will do a rehab stint in minors and that he should have done it last year. Didn't he come back after the minor leagues seasons were done?

He started throwing as early as August, I think, but not well enough to be pitching in actual games until the minor league season was over. But don't they have something going on in Florida in September that he could have gone to?

[Cole Burns]

Has anyone seen or read any reports on how well he's progressing with his SIP? (Swears per Innings Pitched)

[dmarx114]

Trade him to the AL.

[STL_Cards]

Bring Carpenter back as a starting pitcher! It would be great to have him back, either in the bullpen or the starting rotation. I don't know who to bump out of the rotation, though...but this is Chris Carpenter we're talking about. If he can start, let him start.

[Fat Strat]

Bring Carpenter back as a starting pitcher! It would be great to have him back, either in the bullpen or the starting rotation. I don't know who to bump out of the rotation, though...but this is Chris Carpenter we're talking about. If he can start, let him start.

I would see what he can do in the bullpen first. If he's lights out and looks like his old self, then we can re-evaluate. When (not if, when) another SP gets hurt, we can simply roll him into the rotation. If might take a few weeks to build the arm strength up to a starter's pace, but we have the arms to do that. Imagine losing Westy again in August and moving Carpenter into the rotation. Or, if we want to give Miller some weeks off during the early fall, let Carp start in his place. Lots of time to let this play out.

[Jocephus]

CBS Sports' Scott Miller reports that the Cardinals are hoping that Chris Carpenter (shoulder, neck) is able to join the starting rotation in late June or early July.
Carpenter was originally considered unlikely to pitch this season due to a lingering nerve condition in his shoulder and neck. However, he has been encouraged by his throwing program and has suddenly progressed from an option for the bullpen to the starting rotation. The 38-year-old has already stretched himself out to 80 pitches and could begin facing live hitters next week if all goes well. The Cardinals aren't counting on anything, but his unexpected return would provide a major boost for a club which will likely be missing Jaime Garcia (shoulder) for a while.
Source: CBSSports.com
May 22 - 12:15 PM

[mikechamp]

I can live with a rotation of AW, Miller, 3/4 Carp, Lynn and Westbrook for the 2nd half of the season.