According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, on Monday the Cardinals and Chris Carpenter (shoulder) discussed a second shutdown and possible season-ending surgery. The Cardinals cancelled Carpenter's scheduled bullpen session on Monday and while they have yet to announce the reason for the change, it certainly sounds ominous. The veteran right-hander was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome on Thursday, but he hoped to delay surgery until the offseason. However, after experiencing continued weakness in his recent throwing sessions, he may have no other choice.