ST. LOUIS (AP) -A second opinion backed up the St. Louis Cardinals’ hope that ace pitcher Chris Carpenter, whose surgically-repaired elbow has bothered him the last few weeks, might still be able to join the rotation this year.
Carpenter, the NL Cy Young Award winner in 2005, was examined in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday by Dr. James Andrews. That exam confirmed the Cardinals’ diagnosis that Carpenter, who made only one start last season before undergoing reconstructive surgery in July, was just working through typical rehab pains.
Carpenter is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, and general manager John Mozeliak said Tuesday the right-hander will get an extra day of rest between sessions for the time being.
The news was not so good for Todd Wellemeyer, a surprise 7-game winner in his first full season as a starter. Wellemeyer will miss his second turn in the rotation this month due to elbow issues after allowing a career-worst eight runs in 3 1-3 innings in a 20-2 loss to the Phillies on Friday.
Anthony Reyes, once the team’s brightest pitching prospect, will take Wellemeyer’s place on Thursday in the finale of a three-game interleague series against the Kansas City Royals. Reyes, recalled on Saturday from Triple-A Memphis, worked a scoreless 10th on Sunday to get the victory in a 7-6 victory over Philadelphia.
Reyes was 1-2 with a 3.87 ERA in seven minor league starts after being optioned on May 4. He beat the Tigers in the 2006 World Series opener, but was 2-14 with a 6.04 ERA last season. This year he’s 2-1 with a 4.91 ERA in 10 games, all in relief.
Wellemeyer, claimed off waivers from the Royals last June, is 7-2 with a 3.67 ERA in 14 starts. He was the NL pitcher of the month in May after going 4-0.
Add A Comment