The St. Louis Cardinals placed pitcher Chris Carpenter on the 60-day disabled list, the team announced on Friday.
The former National League Cy Young award winner’s career going forward is uncertain, as he continues to experience irritation in his cervical spine and right shoulder.
“We felt that it was best to make an official announcement on Carp’s roster status today from both the administrative standpoint and also from a roster flexibility standpoint,” stated general manger John Mozeliak.
The 37-year-old underwent surgery last July in an attempt to repair the nerve- related issues and actually returned to make three regular-season starts near the end of the 2012 campaign, as well as three postseason starts.
However, after intensifying his throwing program in preparation for spring training, the right-hander experienced setbacks and at a Feb. 5 press conference, Mozeliak called it “very unlikely” that Carpenter will pitch in 2013.
A three-time All-Star, Carpenter received Cy Young honors in 2005 and won the 2009 NL Comeback Player of the Year award after returning from elbow problems that caused him to miss large portions of the 2007 and ’08 campaigns. He also played a large role in helping the Cardinals to World Series titles in 2006 and 2011.
The veteran has tossed over 2,200 innings during a 15-year career with St. Louis and Toronto and owns a 144-94 overall record with a 3.46 ERA.