Carpenter (hand) will start at first base and bat atop the order against Washington on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter was forced to leave Wednesday's game in the seventh inning after being struck by a pitch on his right hand. Post-game X-rays indicated that he avoided serious injury and interim manager Mike Shildt had no problems inserting him back into the lineup for Thursday's series finale.

X-rays on Carpenter's right hand came back negative, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter exited Wednesday's game in the seventh inning after being hit by a pitch on his hand. His removal was deemed precautionary and initial X-rays revealed the veteran isn't dealing with a fracture, though he'll likely still head for additional tests in the coming days to confirm he isn't dealing with anything more serious. Consider him day-to-day for now.

Carpenter exited Wednesday's game against the Nationals after being hit by a pitch on his hand, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter immediately left the game with a trainer. It would be a huge blow for the Cardinals and fantasy owners if Carpenter is forced to miss action, as the 32-year-old has been on a tear at the plate. His status should be updated after he's further evaluated following Wednesday's game. Carpenter was 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored prior to exiting the game in the seventh inning.

Carpenter went 2-for-4 with a home run, walk, three RBI and two runs Monday in the Cardinals' 7-6 win over the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

The long ball was Carpenter's NL-leading 33rd of the season, giving him a four-homer edge over the Rockies' Nolan Arenado. Carpenter is slashing an otherworldly .332/.433/.721 since May 16, providing 30 of his home runs and scoring 69 of his 81 runs during that stretch.

Carpenter went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in the Cardinals' 3-2 win over the Marlins on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The home run was Carpenter's 30th of the season, giving him sole possession of the National League lead. Given that Carpenter had only gone deep three times through May 20, his surge up the leaderboard has been nothing short of miraculous. In addition to bagging 27 more long balls since that date, Carpenter has also delivered a .327 average, 46 RBI and 60 runs in 69 games, making him a four-category stalwart.

Carpenter went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in a win over the Pirates on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter temporarily had the National League homer lead all to himself after blasting his 29th round tripper in the fifth inning. Although the Rockies' Nolan Arenado eventually drew even with him later in the day, Carpenter's offensive exploits over the last two months-plus are nothing short of astounding at this point. The veteran infielder has hit 26 of his homers over the last 67 games, a stretch during which he sports an MLB-best .722 slugging percentage, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports. Carpenter has now left the yard in three straight games and reached safely in 24 consecutive games overall, pushing his season line to a steadily ascending .282/.394/.593.

Carpenter went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run, two walks and two runs in a win over the Pirates on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

At this point, it seems as if opposing teams should just automatically spot Carpenter first base in at least half of his at-bats. The veteran infielder now sports a .982 OPS, while his 61 extra-base hits have him on pace to easily eclipse the career-high 75 he compiled in 2015 over 208 additional plate appearances. Factoring in Saturday's production, Carpenter has reached safely in 23 straight games heading into Sunday's action.

Carpenter went 2-for-4 with a double, a leadoff solo home run and two walks in a loss to the Pirates on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter's bat appears incapable of cooling off at this point, as he's started August off on the same heater he's been on for two-plus months. The veteran infielder is 4-for-10 with a double, Friday's homer and corresponding RBI, five walks and three runs over the first three games of the new month. That follows a month of July in which he parlayed 31 hits into 21 RBI, largely on the strength of 11 round trippers. Carpenter's 27 homers on the season comfortably pace the field on the Cardinals and rank eighth overall in all of baseball.

Carpenter went 0-for-2 with three walks, two runs and a stolen base in a win over the Rockies on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Save for the fact he didn't log a base hit, Carpenter played the quintessential leadoff role Wednesday, showing his trademark discerning eye to draw a trio of free passes. His second-inning stolen base was his first of the season as well, and Carpenter has now pushed his on-base percentage to .388, the second-highest total of his career.

Carpenter went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's loss to the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter hit a leadoff homer -- his 26th of the year -- and later drove in a run via a sacrifice fly. Carpenter had an excellent July, hitting .333 with 11 homers, 21 RBI and 22 runs scored. The 32-year-old also has 31 doubles on the season and his .575 slugging percentage is tied for eighth in the majors.