Chris Carpenter (shoulder) returned to Cardinals' camp on Monday and is expected to resume a strength and conditioning program in the middle of the week. Carpenter was diagnosed with nerve irritation in his throwing shoulder last week after undergoing a series of tests in St. Louis. It's not clear how long it will take before he's ready to return to the mound, but the veteran right-hander is confident he'll pitch this season. "We have to just get my shoulder strong and stabilized, so I can get back out there throwing and stay there," Carpenter said. "I have it get it strong, and when I get it strong, I'll be ready to come back." It's safe to rule Carpenter out until at least May, so exercise caution on draft day. Lance Lynn is slated to replace him in the starting rotation and makes for a smart buy in NL-only and even some deeper mixed formats.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak confirmed Saturday that surgery is "not even on the table" with Chris Carpenter. "The best way to look at it is that at least we have an understanding of what the next step looks like,'' Mozeliak said. "We're optimistic that Carp's going to be able to pitch this year. We hope that it's sooner, rather than later.'' Carpenter will need to re-strengthen his shoulder, similar to what he did in 2008, before returning to the starting rotation. Lance Lynn is expected to start the fourth game of the season in Milwaukee.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak confirmed Friday that Chris Carpenter is dealing with a nerve issue in his right shoulder.

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch was told by a club source that what he's hearing about Chris Carpenter (neck) "isn't good." Carpenter was sent back to St. Louis for testing after feeling renewed discomfort in his neck and upper arm on Monday. The veteran right-hander was initially diagnosed with a bulging cervical disc, but he is now being tested for nerve issues, which is something he has dealt with on multiple occasions in the past. Cards' general manager John Mozeliak indicated Wednesday that surgery is not on the table.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak conceded Wednesday that Chris Carpenter's current neck issue appears similar to the nerve-related condition that he has dealt with in previous seasons. The Cardinals recently expressed relief that Carpenter didn't have nerve damage after he was diagnosed with a bulging cervical disc, but it's clear that the issue is more serious than initially believed. The 36-year-old right-hander previously dealt with nerve issues in 2004, 2008 and 2010. He consulted Wednesday with the specialists he visited following the 2008 season, but the option of surgery was rejected. It's not clear what the next step will be, but he's highly unlikely to be ready for the early part of the season. Lance Lynn will take his spot in the rotation for now.

Chris Carpenter returned to St. Louis on Tuesday to be further evaluated after feeling renewed discomfort in his neck and upper arm on Monday. Bad news. Carpenter was diagnosed with a bulging cervical disc earlier this month, but had made encouraging progress over the past few days. He was scheduled to throw live batting practice on Wednesday, but that session has been cancelled so he can be examined. It now appears likely he'll begin the season on the disabled list, with Kyle Lohse making the start on Opening Day and Lance Lynn replacing him in the starting rotation.

Chris Carpenter (neck) is scheduled to throw live batting practice again on Wednesday. If that workout goes well, Carpenter could be cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut by the weekend. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Disptach on Monday that there's still a chance the 36-year-old right-hander will be ready to start on Opening Night in Miami. "We were only talking about him having two or three (spring starts) from Day 1," Matheny explained. " So we're just going to kind of watch all this. As of right now we're going to leave it limbo." Carp was diagnosed earlier this month with a bulging cervical disc.

Though he says they "haven't ruled anything out," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny conceded that getting Chris Carpenter (neck) ready by Opening Day "would be pushing it." Carpenter has progressed well recently, throwing a successful bullpen session Friday and then a 40-pitch batting practice session Sunday, but he's simply running out of time. It's not clear when he'll make his first Grapefruit League appearance, and he'll likely need at least three starts before being deemed fit for the regular season. He'll likely start the season on the disabled list or at the very least be held back until the team needs a fifth starter.

Chris Carpenter (neck) will throw live batting practice to hitters Sunday. Another positive sign for the right-hander. Carpenter had a successful bullpen session Friday and evidently is feeling well enough to take the next step. Assuming the batting practice session goes as planned, we would think Carp should be able to appear in a game sometime later this week.

Chris Carpenter (neck) said his bullpen session Friday went better than he expected. Carp threw 25-30 fastballs at about 75 percent effort. The Cardinals will wait and see Saturday how he feels before deciding on the next step, but the treatment for the right-hander's neck is finished, and he'll now focus on strengthening the muscles in his neck so he doesn't have any more issues. Things are moving in the right direction, but it's not clear when he'll appear in a game or if he'll be ready by the start of the season.