Carpenter (back) isn't in the Cardinals' Thursday lineup but is expected to return Friday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

We'll confirm whether he's on Friday's card, but it's a positive sign that St. Louis plans on putting him in, considering Carpenter has maintained his readiness for at least a week. As long as Carpenter shows somewhat normal abilities at the dish, fantasy players should feel comfortable drafting the multi-positional gem at his market price, which comes in at an Average Draft Position of 71.70 in NFBC leagues (15-yeam mixed).