Chris Carpenter experiences setback in his rehab

Cardinals right-hander Chris Carpenter has chosen to stop his rehab at least for a little while. Per Derrick Goold on Twitter, Carpenter called it, “[taking] a step back” after experiencing creeping numbness in his hand. He will be examined by doctors tonight while the Cardinals open up a three-game series at home against the Phillies.

Carpenter isn’t discouraged, which is a good sign.

Carpenter pointed to his strength, improved back, velocity as signs “there’s something there” and reasons to keep trying. #Cardinals

— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 23, 2013

Carpenter hasn’t pitched since Game Six of the National League Championship Series last year, when he allowed five runs in four innings to the Giants. His rehab has, for the most part, gone better than expected up until now, and there was some thought he would rejoin the Cardinals before the end of the season, either as a reliever or as a starter depending on how he felt and how much of his durability he recovered.