Carpenter (back) called his removal from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins "super preventative" and expects to be back in the lineup Saturday, Mark Saxon of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter's absence appears to be little more than early spring caution. The veteran did make a trip to the injured list last July with a lower-back strain, however, so it's somewhat worrisome that he's already dealing with back issues again.

Carpenter was removed from Wednesday's split-squad spring game against the Marlins due to back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This explains why Nolan Gorman replaced Carpenter in the starting lineup shortly before first pitch. The veteran infielder should be considered day-to-day.

Carpenter was removed from Wednesday's split-squad spring game against the Marlins, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The reason behind Carpenter's late scratch is not yet known, but well-regarded 19-year-old Nolan Gorman replaced the veteran in the starting lineup.

Carpenter will sit again for the fourth game of the NLCS against the Nationals on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter has gone just 1-for-12 at the plate thus far in the playoffs. Jose Martinez will again get the nod in right field, pushing Tommy Edman to third base.

Carpenter is not in the lineup for Game 3 of the NLCS against the Nationals on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter went 0-for-6 with three strikeouts over the first two games of the series, but should be available as a pinch hitter as he was for much of the NLDS. Tommy Edman will shift to third base with Jose Martinez starting in right field.

Carpenter is starting at third base and batting sixth in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Braves on Sunday, Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter was on the bench for the first two games of the series and delivered an RBI single in his Game 1 pinch-hit appearance. The veteran infielder struggled with a .726 OPS for the season, but he came on strong in the back half of September with an .889 OPS in his last 11 games.

Carpenter went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Sunday's victory over Chicago.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter connected for a three-run shot to right field in the third inning to contribute to the division-clinching win. The 33-year-old finished in ninth place in NL MVP voting last year but largely disappointed in 2019, concluding the season with a .226/.334/.392 slash line along with 15 homers, 46 RBI and 129 strikeouts in 492 plate appearances.

Carpenter went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 8-2 loss to the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter's blast came off Cubs starter Alec Mills in the fourth inning. Carpenter also reached after getting hit by a pitch in the seventh. The infielder has 14 homers, 43 RBI and 58 runs scored this season, but he's managed only a .228/.337/.390 slash line in 127 games.

Carpenter is starting at third base Sunday for the third straight day.

EDGE Analysis

Starts have been few and far between for Carpenter in September, but he has gotten a chance to see regular at-bats this weekend with Kolten Wong (hamstring) sidelined. Carpenter will play third base Sunday and hit sixth in the Cardinals' batting order.

Carpenter came into Thursday's extra-inning win over the Cubs as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the fifth inning and went 1-for-2 with a go-ahead solo home run in the 10th inning.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter launched a one-out, 431-foot solo shot to center off Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel in the top of the 10th inning, snapping a 6-6 tie with a blast that would end up being the difference in the game. Manager Mike Shildt confirmed earlier in the week that Carpenter was keeping a positive mindset despite riding the pine frequently in recent games, and Thursday's homer, his first since Aug. 25, seems to bear out that the 33-year-old is keeping himself mentally ready.