Carpenter's Continuing Arm Problems

[love_that_reefer]

Cards righthander Chris Carpenter, who has had nerve issues in his right shoulder area and neck, saw a thoracic specialist on Wednesday and said after the game he planned to get more opinions from doctors out of town before a decision on treatment was made. Carpenter said that with the various doctors who had seen him "there was a difference of opinion on treatment -- how to take care of the issue. So, basically what we're going to do is get more opinions and see if there is anybody out there who has more ideas on what's going on in there and how to take care of it." Carpenter said Dr. George Paletta, the head team physician, would address the matter on Friday, but, for the moment, Carpenter is at a loss to explain it.

The Cards will have to find a starter this offseason since it looks like Carpenter will not be ready for the start of '09. A.J. Burnett will be an option since the Cards have been interested in the past. I just hope Carpenter can come back in tip top shape because when he is on, he is a top five pitcher.

[CrazyEights]

Carpenter is a question for next year, but nobody knows for sure if he will be ready or not. Now that Lohse has been signed, the Cardinals have less urgency for the rotation. Wainwright, Lohse, and Wellemeyer will be a good 3 to start with. I would like to see Looper return, but I don't know if that is in the Cards. I don't know how much they would have to spend to get a pitcher better than Looper, but my first thought is that it may not be worth it. I was happy with what I saw from Looper this year, and an expensive replacement that isn't as good doesn't sound very appealing.

[love_that_reefer]

Chris Carpenter underwent ulnar nerve transposition surgery on Tuesday.
Incredibly, this is in no way related to the nerve problem up by his shoulder. This was a separate issue in the elbow, so the Cards still can't be sure whether the shoulder nerve problem will go away with rest or not. Ulnar nerve transposition surgery is common -- Albert Pujols had it just last month -- and Carpenter still has a chance or being ready for spring training. It's all up to the shoulder, though.

The Cards cannot sit back and wait to see if Carpenter is going to be good for '09. Cards have got to get a #2 starter to stick behind Wainwright. They also need to find a closer so trading might have to be the way to go for the Cards.