Chris Carpenter (shoulder, neck) said during a press conference Monday that has not ruled out pitching at some point in 2013. "We'll just have to see what happens through time," Carpenter said. "I have to make sure... my arm is healthy." Carpenter continues to work out, but he's not throwing and made it clear that there's no way he could do so as he currently feels. The veteran right-hander will get checked out by the Cardinals' team doctor once the club returns to St. Louis before determining the next step. He said he will not undergo another surgery. While the door isn't closed for Carpenter to pitch in 2013, it's not a likely proposition.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Tuesday that Chris Carpenter is still feeling discomfort in his arm and is "very unlikely" to pitch in 2013. The determination was made after Carpenter recently felt the same symptoms that he dealt prior to undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome last year. The 37-year-old will seek medical attention, so he isn't quite ready to announce his retirement, but it's very possible that he has thrown his last pitch in the big leagues. Shelby Miller is likely the favorite to fill his spot in the rotation, so he gets a healthy boost in fantasy leagues, though Joe Kelly and Trevor Rosenthal could also be considered. Of course, it's worth noting that Kyle Lohse remains a free agent.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Chris Carpenter is considering retirement and is expected to address his future at a press conference on Tuesday. Carpenter was limited to three regular season starts and three postseason starts last season following surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, but he said last month that he was feeling good. It's possible that he has encountered a setback since. Losing Carpenter would be a big blow for the Cardinals, but they could turn to some of their young arms or reach out to free agent right-hander Kyle Lohse.

Chris Carpenter stated Saturday that his throwing is going well, his shoulder is strong, and that he's anxious about testing his arm during spring training. Carpenter noted that he's had a normal offseason and that he hasn't reported any issues or setbacks. It's important to note however, that Carpenter felt fully healthy heading into the 2012 season before the shoulder issue arose. If healthy, he'll represent a tremendous value in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts, but there is certainly a high risk of re-injury.

Chris Carpenter allowed five runs (two earned) on six hits over four innings in Sunday's NLCS Game 6 loss to the Giants. Carpenter had the exact same line in his Game 2 start. Of his 76 pitches, 48 were for strikes, and he noticeably struggled with his command throughout. MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince noted that Carpenter "looked like a guy who had major surgery three months ago." With the series now even at 3-3, the Cardinals will attempt to reclaim their NL pennant behind Kyle Lohse in Game 7 on Monday.

Chris Carpenter wasn't too sharp in Monday's NLCS Game 2 loss to the Giants, allowing five runs -- two earned -- over four innings. He was pretty unlucky during the Giants' decisive four-run fourth, as the Giants only hit one ball hard all inning, but the veteran righty wasn't hitting his spots most of the night. Carpenter pitched well in his three regular season starts and in D.C. last week, but tonight was definitely a step back. He's in line to pitch Game 6, if necessary.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny announced on Friday that Chris Carpenter will not be available out of the bullpen for Friday's critical Game 5 against the Nationals. Carpenter tossed 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball in Wednesday's Game 3 victory, but with his injury history there was no way he was going to be considered on such short rest. Should the Cardinals survive and advance, Carpenter would likely start in Game 2 of the NLCS.

Chris Carpenter fired 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball Wednesday in the Cardinals' NLDS Game 3 defeat of the Nationals. Carpenter allowed seven hits and issued two walks but pitched out of trouble in vintage form. The veteran right-hander now has the second-highest career postseason winning percentage in baseball history. He'll be a dangerous weapon if the Cardinals can advance to the NLCS.

Chris Carpenter held the Astros to two earned runs over six innings Wednesday in a Cardinals loss. Carpenter pitched well, yielding just four hits while fanning three and walking none. But the Cardinals' offense failed to muster a single run against the Astros' Bud Norris and Wilton Lopez. Carp has a 3.27 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through his first two starts of the 2012 season. He'll get the Reds next.

Chris Carpenter pitched solidly in his 2012 season debut, surrendering two runs on five hits in his five innings of work. Carpenter walked one and struck out two on the afternoon. There was a bit of rust, as was to be expected, and he struggled to locate his curveball. Still, he threw 47 of his 77 pitches for strikes and left in line to earn a victory before Fernando Salas blew a save in the ninth. He'll likely be stretched out to between 90-100 pitches when he takes on the Astros in Houston on Wednesday.