St. Louis Cardinals cleared pitcher Chris Carpenter to resume rehabbing from a lower back injury on Friday after the team got outside medical opinions about his comeback from nerve issues.

General manager John Mozeliak said the 38-year-old Carpenter played catch Friday and was scheduled for a light bullpen session today. How the former N.L. Cy Young winner responds to that activity will determine a course of action.

Carpenter’s back tightened after a bullpen session and weight work on Sunday.

“It looks like it’s not going to be that big of a deal,” Mozeliak said. “Obviously, this week’s come and gone. Having said that, he can jump back on and start making progress.”

Mozeliak said the back problem slowed Carpenter’s rehab from an injury that caused numbness and tingling on the right side of his body. He didn’t believe it was a major setback, although the team still is not counting on a contribution from Carpenter, and declined to provide a timetable.

“I just think that’s a dangerous thing to answer,” Mozelilak said. “The moment we start getting out in front of that something may occur, so it’s just better to sort of take this day by day.”

Carpenter was a 21-game winner in his 2005 N.L. Cy Young season and was second after going 17-4 with a 2.24 ERA in 2009. In his career, he has missed most or all of five seasons due to shoulder, elbow and nerve injuries, and pitched sparingly last season after radical surgery to relieve nerve compression.

Clearing the bases

The Detroit Tigers have designated reliever Jose Valverde for assignment, less than two months after bringing the veteran back for another chance to be the team’s closer. … Left-hander Jason Vargas is on the Los Angeles Angels’ 15-day disabled list after a blood clot was found in his left armpit. The Angels also selected the contract of RHP Billy Buckner from Triple-A Salt Lake. … The New York Yankees have acquired minor league infielder Brent Lillibridge from the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named or cash. … Indians closer Chris Perez and first baseman Nick Swisher have moved closer to returning from shoulder injuries. … The New York Mets have placed left-hander Jonathon Niese on the disabled list because of a partial tear in his rotator cuff. … The New York Yankees have shuffled infielders, promoting Alberto Gonzalez and cutting Reid Brignac.