Carpenter is dealing with pain in his right ring finger, Mark Saxon of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The knob of the bat apparently bothers Carpenter's finger when he swings, so the Cardinals will give him some time to rest and heal his finger as they jockey for a Wild Card spot. Consider the 30-year-old day-to-day for the time being.

Carpenter is not in the lineup Monday against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter started the past four games, but after going 2-for-17 with six strikeouts in that span, manager Mike Matheny decided to give him the night off. Matt Adams will take over at first base for the evening.

Carpenter is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter has only sat out of one game this month, so he'll get the night off with left-hander Jorge De La Rosa taking the mound for Colorado. Matt Adams will fill in at first base in his stead.

Carpenter was a late addition to Tuesday's lineup.

EDGE Analysis

There were reports that Carpenter was doing much better and could even come off the bench later in the game, but it seems as if manager Mike Matheny felt so confident in his health that he slotted the infielder back into the starting lineup. He'll take over for Greg Garcia as the leadoff hitter and second baseman.

Carpenter (back) is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Although Carpenter will be forced to sit after leaving Monday's game with back tightness, he told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com that he's feeling "good" and will be available off the bench Tuesday. The Cardinals are facing a lefty on Wednesday (Jon Lester) and manager Mike Matheny could always opt to play it safe and hold Carpenter out once again, but it doesn't sound like Carpenter is in danger of missing extended time.

Carpenter exited Monday's game against the Cubs in the seventh inning with tightness in his back, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter ultimately had three unsuccessful at-bats Monday, with two strikeouts, before Matt Adams came in as a replacement at first base. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but Adams and Brandon Moss seem to be the top candidates to fill in if Carpenter requires added time off the diamond.

Carpenter will hit third in the Cardinals' batting order Monday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Mike Matheny used Carpenter in the three hole for a week in mid-October only to move him back into the leadoff spot, but the Cardinals will give the experiment another shot. Kolten Wong will replace Carpenter atop the order Monday night.

Carpenter went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 4-3 win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals were down by three runs early on, but Carpenter got them on the board with a two-run dinger in the third, shortly before Stephen Piscotty put them ahead with one of his own. Carpenter owns a career-best .917 OPS this season and has scored a run in five consecutive games as his club scraps for a postseason berth.

Carpenter hit a game-tying pinch-hit solo homer in his only at-bat Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter's homer off Tony Watson tied a wild game at six before St. Louis piled on more runs to pull away in the top of the ninth. This effort should get the third baseman going after he was struggling heading into what was supposed to be a routine day off. Expect him back in the lineup moving forward.

Carpenter is not in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter has been scuffling at the plate as of late (.452 OPS in his last seven games), so he'll get a day off to recharge and get back to his regular ways. Kolten Wong will man the keystone in his stead, while Matt Adams rounds out that side of the infield.