St. Louis’ Carpenter to go on disabled list
The St. Louis Cardinals expect to place pitcher Chris Carpenter on the 15-day disabled list today, and are preparing to call up right-hander Anthony Reyes from the minors to take his spot in the rotation.
“We’re expecting to pitch somebody else tomorrow, like Anthony,” manager Tony La Russa said before Monday’s game against the Astros. “I just know he’s on call and expecting to pitch.”
Carpenter was scratched from his last scheduled start due to inflammation under his right shoulder blade, an injury the team described as bursitis, and has not thrown a bullpen session since. Reyes worked 5 2/3 scoreless innings at Kansas City earlier this month.
La Russa said the team is hopeful Carpenter, the N.L. Cy Young winner last year after a 21-5 season, would be able to return to the rotation after missing today’s start.
The team would make the move retroactive to May 19, the day after Carpenter’s last appearance.
Carpenter is 4-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 10 starts. La Russa said it’s highly unlikely the team would allow Carpenter to pitch today even if he felt perfect, because he hasn’t properly prepared.
Prior throws in rehab start
Cubs pitcher Mark Prior struggled to get out of the second inning of his rehab appearance for Chicago’s Class A affiliate, the Peoria (Ill.) Chiefs.
The 25-year-old right-hander threw 44 pitches in two innings, giving up four hits and three runs. He’s been on the disabled list all season as he works his way back from a sore shoulder.
“You can only do so much,” Prior said. “I’ve been doing everything I possibly can every day and I just have to let nature take its course.”
Wells will miss next start
Red Sox left-hander David Wells will miss a turn in the rotation because of a sore right knee.
Wells left his last start after taking a line drive off his knee. He’ll miss his scheduled start Wednesday. He experienced soreness while throwing on flat ground Monday.
“It was pretty sore,” Boston manager Terry Francona said. “But we’re not going to DL him yet, either.”
Clearing the bases
Craig Biggio became the 23rd player in major league history to accumulate 10,000 career at-bats when he grounded out to end the seventh inning in Houston’s game against St. Louis. … Phillies left-hander Randy Wolf struck out five of seven batters in his first extended spring training game since undergoing elbow surgery last summer. Philadelphia also activated catcher Mike Lieberthal from the 15-day disabled list and optioned backup catcher Carlos Ruiz to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre. … Cubs right-hander Jae Kuk Ryu was sent to Triple-A Iowa. … Indians third baseman Aaron Boone was forced to leave the game with a mild concussion after he tumbled headfirst into the photographer’s area while chasing a fly ball. … Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter injured his right hand sliding into second base. He was taken out for precautionary reasons so his hand could be iced. … The Blue Jays called up veteran infielder Edgardo Alfonzo from Double-A New Hampshire and placed utility infielder John McDonald on the 15-day disabled list. … Padres left-hander Shawn Estes said he is “98 percent” certain he’s going to have reconstructive surgery on his pitching elbow next week.