Chris Carpenter acknowledged Thursday that he's been feeling neck stiffness for "5-6 days." Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals are "minimizing (the) situation." If they scratch Carpenter from his scheduled Grapefruit League debut Monday, it'll be time for real concern.

Chris Carpenter gave up four runs in one-plus innings of relief Thursday against the Cardinals. Carpenter pitched a scoreless seventh, but he walked three and allowed a hit to start the eighth and all of the runners came around to score. He wasn't much of a candidate to make the Red Sox this spring anyway, but he hasn't helped himself so far.

Chris Carpenter skipped a throwing session Wednesday due to neck stiffness. Carpenter is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut on Monday, but it's now possible he'll be pushed back, especially if he doesn't feel feel enough to throw on Friday. Stay tuned.

Chris Carpenter is penciled in for Opening Day. The Cardinals kick of their regular season schedule in odd fashion, playing a single night game in Miami to help the Marlins open their new stadium before jetting off to Milwaukee for an actual three-game series vs. the Brewers. Carpenter will handle that one game against the Fish.

Red Sox acquired RHP Chris Carpenter from the Cubs as compensation for general manager Theo Epstein. The situation is finally resolved after close to four months of fruitless haggling. Carpenter, 26, was a third-round pick in the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft. He can touch 100 mph with his fastball, but the right-hander posted an ugly 5.91 ERA in 42 2/3 minor-league innings last season and projects as nothing more than a middle reliever. The Sox will also get a player to be named later and will send the Cubs a player to be named later at some future date.

The Cardinals could have Chris Carpenter make one or possibly two fewer spring training starts than normal this year. Carpenter threw a whopping 273 innings between the regular season and playoffs last year, so the team wants to save as many bullets as they can. Other than a stiff back that's the result of a two-day drive from St. Louis to Florida for spring training, the veteran righty feels fine physically, but the Cards could choose to be proactive. "It's all going to be based on how he feels," pitching coach Derek Lilliquist said. "He's experienced enough that he knows to be prepared for the season. We'll adjust it and tailor it as we see fit."

According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, ''concerns exist'' that the Cardinals will limit Chris Carpenter's innings this season. Carpenter compiled a massive 508 innings over the past two seasons and has a complicated medical history that includes elbow and nerve issues. Entering his age 37 season, the Cardinals could look to protect their $21 million investment by lessening his workload over the first-quarter of the season. Carpenter is fully expected to be available for spring training after injuring his toe this offseason while on a fishing trip in the Amazon.

Chris Carpenter injured a toe earlier this month while on a fishing trip in the Amazon with friend Roy Halladay. The story comes via a blog entry earlier this month from professional angler Skeet Reese, who joined Carp and Doc on the trip. Reese says Carpenter was injured while jumping from one boat to another and that the toe "was all swollen and black and blue the next morning." The Cardinals haven't said anything about the injury, and it's unclear if it's a non-issue or might be something that could affect his availability for the start of spring training. Also worth noting is that while on the trip, Reese and Doc evidently saved a stranded fisherman that had been attacked by an anaconda. Seriously.

Derrick Goold and Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch report that the Cardinals on Wednesday will interview third base coach Jose Oquendo and Phillies Triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg for their managerial vacancy. Goold and Strauss also confirm that former Red Sox manager Terry Francona interviewed for the position Tuesday. Last week, the Cardinals interviewed former catcher Mike Matheny, Triple-A manager Chris Maloney and White Sox third base coach Joe McEwing for the job. It's not clear at this point who might be the favorite for the gig. They're hoping to have a successor for Tony La Russa by next week.

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan plans to return in 2012. Duncan has one year remaining on his contract and a mutual option for 2013. Some speculated that he might walk away following Tony La Russa's retirement and his wife's illness, but that's apparently not the case. However, he has ruled himself out as a managerial candidate.