Marlins Not Likely To Face Carpenter In Season Opener
JUPITER, Fla. (CBSMiami) – The Miami Marlins open the regular season with a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Marlins Park and the Cards are hoping their ace will be on the mound.
But, St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said he's still not sure when Cards ace Chris Carpenter will be available for the team.
Last week, Carpenter underwent four days of tests in St. Louis to try to figure out what the exact cause of a nerve ailment that has weakened his throwing shoulder. Matheny thinks the right-hander is going to have to rest.
"When I had the concussion stuff they were flying me all over the country trying to get me to this specialist and that specialist, and sooner or later I just said: Enough, hopefully you guys have the information you need," Matheny said. "He understands the process, but it's kind of grueling as far as the poking and prodding."
Carpenter hasn't faced hitter since pitching batting practice on March 3. It was originally thought that his problems stemmed from a bulging disk in his neck.
Carpenter was 11-9 last season and went 4-0 in the postseason to lead the Cardinals to a World Series championship. Last year, he threw 273 1/3 innings between the season and postseason.
