Carpenter is back in the starting lineup Wednesday against the Nationals, batting third and playing first base, Jim Hayes of Fox Sports Midwest reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter missed Tuesday's game after experiencing back tightness, but it appears he's good to go after a day of rest. The lefty is off to a tough start this year with a .208 average through eight games, and it may not get much easier with Max Scherzer toeing the slab for Washington on Wednesday.

Carpenter, who is out of the lineup Tuesday, experienced back tightness Monday night, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Apparently, the back issue is not the sole cause of Carpenter's absence Tuesday. Manager Mike Matheny said Carpenter's 2-for-16 career record against lefty Gio Gonzalez, Tuesday's starter for the Nationals, factored into the decision to hold Carpenter out. The 31-year-old also dealt with back trouble throughout the spring, but he should be considered merely day-to-day for now.

Carpenter is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter has gotten off to a sluggish start at the plate (5-for-24 with one RBI), so he'll head to the bench for a day of rest with lefty Gio Gonzalez hurling for Washington. Jose Martinez will man first base in his stead.

Carpenter went 2-for-3 with four RBI from a sacrifice fly, RBI single and two-run triple in Wednesday's 6-1 Grapefruit League win over the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter looks fully recovered from the back woes that plagued him last week, and is enjoying his spot in the middle of the order after hitting leadoff in the past. The Cardinals starting first baseman is now hitting .333 (5-for-15) with a triple, home run, seven RBI, two walks and a run over nine spring games.

Carpenter (back) is 1-for-4 in his two games since returning to the lineup after missing Thursday's game.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals' starting first baseman appears to be back at full health after playing on both Friday and Saturday. He should be considered a full go moving forward and is now slashing .273/.333/.545 over 11 spring at-bats.

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).

Carpenter (back) says he will hit in a batting cage Monday to re-evaluate his injury, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter has already returned to spring game action for defensive purposes, but has not yet been cleared to swing a bat. The veteran infielder says he's trying not to rush the process and remains adamant he'll be ready to go by Opening Day. "I don't feel the need to rush it," he said. "The only time I feel it is swinging, and even then I think I'm pretty close." Carpenter is expected to begin the 2017 season as the Cardinals' primary first baseman.

Carpenter (back) played five innings at first base in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He has not yet been cleared to swing a bat but Carpenter wanted to get some time at first base, his new everyday position. The box score will show Carpenter recorded a single in the game, but it was a bunt single to beat the shift -- the Astros shifted their defensive alignment when Carpenter came up, seemingly unaware of his restrictions. Carpenter plans to begin taking swings in the batting cage Monday.

Carpenter (back) expects to begin taking more swings in the batting cage by Monday with the hope of returning to action the following weekend, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The infielder is already slated to miss the World Baseball Classic, so now he can focus solely on getting back to 100 percent prior to Opening Day. It seems like the injury is beginning to subside, so as long as the progression on Monday goes without a hitch, Carpenter should be back in action relatively soon.

Carpenter (back) is back in the starting lineup for Thursday's spring game, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter is expected to miss a week of spring action due to a back injury, but he'll occupy the nine-spot in Thursday's exhibition contest. His position in the batting order should allow him to get in some defensive reps, though Carpenter has yet to be cleared to take full swings. If his spot in the order does come up, Carpenter will likely be removed for a pinch hitter, or take all of the pitches headed his way.