Carpenter went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and five RBI during Thursday's Game 1 win over Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

The five RBI doubled his total to 10, and Carpenter finished the game with an underwhelming .250/.373/.417 slash line. However, with a .505 slugging percentage and 49 home runs over the past two seasons, he's probably just underachieving to start the year. Expecting a breakout stretch sooner than later from the veteran will probably pay off, especially considering Carpenter's track record.

Carpenter returns from his one-game suspension Thursday, batting third and playing first base in Game 1 of the doubleheader.

EDGE Analysis

The infielder made contact with an umpire this past weekend and served his ban Tuesday before a Wednesday rainout. Hopefully Carpenter's owners will get a pair of contests out of him Thursday as they face Toronto's Mat Latos and Casey Lawrence, which could be a profitable day for St. Louis bats.

Carpenter received a one-game suspension for tapping an umpire over the weekend and will serve the suspension Tuesday night, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fortunately he'll only miss one game, but it's a shame that he received a suspension while he was finally picking things up a bit at the plate. Matt Adams will slot in at first base to fill in for him Tuesday, but look for Carpenter to return to the lineup Wednesday.

Carpenter is one of the players manager Mike Matheny is considering for occasional starts at third base in the wake of Jhonny Peralta (upper respiratory illness) heading to the disabled list, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "We're not ruling that out as an option," said Matheny.

EDGE Analysis

The former third baseman has been taking grounders at third in the last few days in anticipation, although he continues to draw starts at first base. Occasional deployment of Carpenter at the hot corner would presumably shift Jedd Gyorko to first or give fellow left-handed bat Matt Adams a chance for playing time.

Carpenter went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old has struggled a fair amount this season, with Thursday's blast being just the second extra-base hit he's logged through 14 games. Carpenter also struck out three times, marking the third game in the past week where he's fanned multiple times. However, he does seem to be turning a page, as he currently possesses a five-game hit streak and a .316 batting average over the past week.

Carpenter (finger) will return to the lineup Wednesday against the Pirates, Jim Hayes of FOX Sports Midwest reports.

EDGE Analysis

The laceration on Carpenter's finger, which he suffered while fielding a groundball during Sunday's game, has evidently healed to the point where it's no longer a major hindrance. Carpenter is off to a slow start this season with eight hits (only one for extra bases) in his first 36 at-bats. He will look to get it going against right-hander Gerrit Cole.

Carpenter (finger) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

The club has held true to its word that Carpenter wouldn't be rushed back into the lineup, as he's sitting out for the second day in a row. Jose Martinez will get the nod to start at first base instead of Carpenter on Tuesday. Consider Carpenter day-to-day heading into Wednesday's outing against Pittsburgh.

Carpenter's finger injury is lingering and he is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Pirates, Brian Stull of WGNU 920AM reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Mike Matheny said he would have no qualms playing Jose Ramirez at first base again, so the Cardinals won't be rushing Carpenter back to action. Consider Carpenter day-to-day for now, but there's no expectation that this injury will force a stint on the disabled list.

Carpenter was removed from Monday's lineup against the Pirates due to swelling in his lacerated finger, Jenifer Langosch of the MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter suffered the laceration after hit was hit by a ground ball in Sunday's game against the Yankees. His time out of the lineup will depend on how quickly he can get the swelling to go down.

Carpenter went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and walk in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter opened the scoring on the night with a 421-foot shot to right in the first off Masahiro Tanaka, giving the Cardinals the early 2-0 lead. While his average sits at a pedestrian .219, the 31-year-old infielder has reached safely in five straight and knocked in three runs over the last two contests.