Chris

Carpenter

The official diagnosis is a mild biceps strain. With Carpenter making no starts this week, you should reserve him.

The Cardinals insist it’s just precautionary. Team physician Dr. George Paletta discovered nerve irritation to the righthander’s upper arm on Wednesday. He’ll be re-evaluated Saturday and not throw in the meantime.

An MRI showed no damage, but Carpenter has a nerve problem in the area of his biceps, which sounds similar to the problem LA’s Brad Penny is having.

His 11 strikeouts fell one shy of a career high. His success this season, in which he has been better after missing all of last season than he ever was before getting hurt, has been as hard to explain as Esteban Loaiza’s success of 2003. Last year, Loaiza posted a 1.11 WHIP and 3.69 K/BB ratio. Carpenter this year: 1.15 WHIP, 3.72 K/BB. All that to say, be careful bidding on Carpenter next season expecting a repeat.

Carpenter is out with a damaged nerve in his biceps. Though he was able to play catch yesterday, manager Tony La Russa does not expect Carpenter to be ready for a potential World Series appearance because he has not pitched in nearly a month.

Getting medical clearance wouldn’t automatically put Carpenter on the World Series roster. He’d also need to be impressive in a bullpen session tomorrow. Carpenter would likely work out of the pen if the Cardinals do advance.

''I really like where Carp’s at,’' pitching coach Dave Duncan said. ''He looks good. He’s throwing easy. He’s not dealing with the problem he had at the end of last season. It’s very encouraging.’' Carpenter isn’t a great bet to stay healthy, but he should start the season at 100 percent.

Carpenter is scheduled to make a final appearance Wednesday night at Jupiter before throwing 45-50 pitches in a Sunday start at Memphis. He could join the Cardinals as a spot starter around the All-Star break.

Carpenter, likely to be the Cardinals’ No. 2 starter, will enter spring training with no limitations.

“My shoulder has never felt this good ... never,” Carpenter said after throwing Friday. “I know I’m stronger now than I have been in a long time.” As long as he stays healthy this spring, Carpenter will be pretty much guaranteed a spot in the St. Louis rotation. He’s a decent sleeper.