St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter said his injured back felt "perfect" after playing an intrasquad game on Sunday. He'll make his 2018 Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday as a designated hitter. At this point, unless he suffers some other setback, it looks like Carpenter should be ready for Opening Day. Aside from his back, he's also been dealing with a shoulder injury going back to last season, but that affects him more in the field than at the plate.

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter (back, shoulder) began hitting and fielding drills this week. The team is reportedly concerned about both Carpenter's back and his shoulder, which may lead them to sticking him at first base. Originally, Carpenter was being looked at as a super-utility infielder who could play almost any infield position. For now, manager Mike Matheny said, "I don't think anything has changed really in our mindset. [...]

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter (back) may not be ready for Opening Day. He has resumed baseball activities in Cardinals camp, but still hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said, "If this doesn't stay on track, I don't know if he'll be timed up. Physically, I think he'll be ready. [...]

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter (back) could start swinging a bat as early as Tuesday. Carpenter hasn't appeared in any Grapefruit League games yet and has been limited in practice since the start of camp due to tightness in his back. Unless Carpenter has another setback, he should still be on track for Opening Day. If not, it could open up some playing time for Jose Martinez.

This article references and more! St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter said he is "not concerned at all" about his sore back. Carpenter experienced discomfort in his back nine days ago in Cardinals camp and has yet to resume "baseball activities." The extent of his activity has been standing in the batter's box during batting practice without taking any swings. Carpenter added, "[...]Keep on reading: Matt Carpenter "Not Concerned At All" About His Back

This article references Matt Carpenter and more! Rick Hummel of the St.Louis Post-Dispatch reports that infielder Matt Carpenter has been dealing with back tightness. Carpenter says he wasn't concerned "at all" and has reported to camp early. Carpenter has been working on taking ground balls at first base, but manager Mike Matheny said he could also see time at second base and third base this year. The Cardinals are trying to be careful with Carpenter, who is one of their main offensive pieces. Carpenter made the bulk of his starts at first ba[...]Keep on reading: Matt Carpenter Dealing With Back Tightness, Likely To Play First Base In 2018

This article references Matt Carpenter and more! St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Carpenter is dealing with some back tightness. Carpenter dealt with a stiff back early on in camp last year, as well. It should not be a big deal, but will keep him limited to playing first base for now. "Carp's going to focus most of his (defense) at first base at this point but he's going to get work at third and he's going to get work at second," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "[...]Keep on reading: Matt Carpenter Dealing With Back Problems

This article references Dexter Fowler, Marcell Ozuna, Matt Carpenter, Tommy Pham and more! BALLER MOVE: Target ~100 CURRENT ADP: 175 ANALYSIS: St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter will head into the 2018 season hoping to play injury-free. He had a decent 2017 season, slashing .241/.384/.451 with 23 home runs and 69 RBI. Carpenter has always been a better asset in OBP leagues, but had not been a liability in batting average leagues until last season. Even though Carpenter fared noticeably better in the first spot in the batting order last season, Cardinals manager M[...]Keep on reading: Matt Carpenter (1B, STL) - 2018 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Draft Values

This article references Dexter Fowler, Matt Carpenter and more! St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dexter Fowler will lead off for St. Louis and first baseman Matt Carpenter will hit third, manager Mike Matheny confirmed to Derek Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Monday. This was how the Cardinals started the season last year, and it was a relative no-brainer for Matheny. "I think we have some of our best opportunities if we can get Dex locked in at that first spot," Matheny said Monday morning. "(That) gives us freedom to put Carp possibly in that third [...]Keep on reading: Dexter Fowler To Lead Off, Matt Carpenter To Hit Third

This article references Matt Carpenter and more! St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Carpenter is feeling good headed into 2018, according to Derek Goold of the St. Louis Post Dispatch. He dealt with shoulder injuries in 2017, but he is healthy headed into 2018. Post-Dispatch. "It's not in the back of mind, like it was, not at all," he said. "It's not limiting me in any way. I can go out and do whatever. It is as if everything is normal." Carpenter's shoulder made it a challenge for him to swing a bat in 2017, yet he still managed to amass [...]Keep on reading: Matt Carpenter Feels Healthy