Cardinals lose pitcher Carpenter for season
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a nerve issue in his shoulder that has sidelined him since spring training.
The 37-year-old Carpenter wants to continue pitching. He’s been told the surgery to relieve compressed nerves in the shoulder could allow him to resume his career, although there are no guarantees. The procedure involves removing the first rib.
Carpenter said Tuesday that he’s dealt with the injury since 2008. He doesn’t believe his heavy workload last year for the World Series champions played a significant role.
“We’ve tried since spring training to get this going and every time I try to come back unfortunately it just doesn’t allow me to do that,” Carpenter said. “To be honest with you, I wish I thought about this surgery a while back.
“If we did it in March or April, I’d be close to coming back now.”
Until recently, the Cardinals had been optimistic Carpenter would respond to therapy and be able to pitch after the All-Star break.
Matsuzaka on DL
Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka is going to get more time for his recurring stiff neck to settle down and heal – manager Bobby Valentine hopes for good this time.
Dice-K was placed on the 15-day disabled list, a day after the right-hander allowed five runs in one-plus inning and failed to retire a batter in the second inning of a 6-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics.
Also, Boston reached a contract termination settlement with pitcher and former Spirit Lake, Idaho, resident Bobby Jenks and granted him his unconditional release.
Bay improves
Former Gonzaga University and North Idaho College standout Jason Bay says he hopes to return to left field for the New York Mets after the All-Star break from his second concussion in two years.
He’s ramped up his rehabilitation and hopes to head to Port St. Lucie, Fla., on Thursday.
Out since June 16, Bay says he’s been symptom-free for 10 days. He says because he has felt good he is frustrated by the slow process of increasing the workouts. But he understands the protocol for concussions after sustaining a head injury that kept him out the final two months of the 2010 season.
Bay also missed six weeks this season with a broken rib. He is hitting .187 with four homers and six RBIs.
Clearing the bases
Former Duke star Marcus Stroman signed a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, the team that drafted him in the first round of last month’s Major League Baseball first-year player draft. The pitcher said he likely will begin his minor-league career with the Vancouver Canadians in the Northwest League … Braves third baseman Chipper Jones was named to replace injured Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp on the National League All-Star roster. He is hitting .291 with six homers and 29 RBIs … Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner is set to be activated tonight after missing more than one month following knee surgery.