Chris Carpenter is on schedule to throw another round of live batting practice on Wednesday after having no ill-effects from playing catch on Monday following a 40-pitch BP session on Sunday. It was the first time Carpenter faced live hitters since March 3. Carpenter was dealt a setback with a sore neck caused by a pinched nerve. Manager Mike Matheny is not ruling out Carpenter being ready for Opening Day on April 4 in Miami. If the Cardinals want Carpenter to get two spring starts, he’ll have to get in a Grapefruit League game by March 25.
The Cardinals have been trying to lengthen out Lance Lynn in case Carpenter needs extra time to get ready, but with three days off from April 5-23, the club could get by with a four man rotation of Adam Wainwright, Kyle Lohse, Jaime Garcia and Jake Westbrook with each pitcher getting normal rest. The first time the Cardinals would need a fifth starter would be April 23 against the Cubs.