Carpenter went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a solo homer and three runs Sunday against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter has struggled to produce runs for the Cardinals lately, as he's only posted three RBI since August 9. Despite the recent struggles, his 17th homer of the year raised his slugging percentage to .540, which is easily the best number of his six-year career.

Carpenter is in the lineup Sunday against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter didn't start Saturday, but is back at first base and hitting leadoff for Sunday's series finale against Oakland. He's hit just .196/.262/.268 over the last 14 days, but will look to get back on track as Andrew Triggs is slated to start for the A's.

Carpenter is out of the lineup Saturday against the A's.

EDGE Analysis

It's a little odd to see Carpenter left out especially against a right-hander, but there has been no indication from the team that an injury is in play. Carpenter has been going strong since his return from the DL earlier this month (16 straight starts dating back to Aug. 8) and it seems the Cardinals simply don't want to push their luck. Jedd Gyorko will man second base Saturday as Greg Garcia leads off.

Carpenter went 1-for-5 with a homer and two strikeouts Wednesday in an 8-1 win over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

The long ball was his first in two weeks, dating back to Aug. 10 against the Reds. Carpenter cut his strikeout rate earlier this year, but has backslid this month, whiffing 16 times in 16 games; accordingly, he's hitting only .219 in August. Nonetheless, Carpenter has been enormously productive when healthy as the Cards' leadoff hitter, as he'd easily be on pace to clear 100 runs (something he's done in two of the past three seasons) if not for the time he spent on the DL due to an oblique injury.

Carpenter went 2-for-4 Wednesday, hitting a triple and a home run and scoring two of the Cardinals' three runs en route to their 3-2 win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter has been phenomenal as the Cardinals' leadoff hitter this season, getting on base at .414 clip. But Carpenter has also been hitting for power, his .553 slugging percentage being a career-best. The home run was Carpenter's 15th of the season, and the triple was his sixth of the year despite not stealing a single base.

Carpenter (undisclosed) is back in the starting lineup Monday against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals did not offer up an explanation for Carpenter's absence Sunday, but that he's back in the mix for the series opener with the Reds after a one-day layoff suggests that the ailment wasn't a serious one. Carpenter will play second base and lead off for the Cards on Monday.

Carpenter (undisclosed) is out of the lineup Sunday against the Braves, Jim Hayes of FOX Sports Midwest reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter was lifted from Saturday's contest for a reason that wasn't made public, but the team is likely being overly cautious considering he just returned from an oblique injury Friday. With Carpenter on the shelf Sunday, Kolten Wong will get the starting nod at the keystone.

Carpenter, who recently returned from an oblique injury, left Saturday's game early, Fox Sports Midwest reports.

EDGE Analysis

Seeing Carpenter leave his second game since being activated off the disabled list should be a concern, but manager Mike Matheny said he checked out fine with the medical team.

Carpenter (oblique) was activated from the DL on Friday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Carpenter will return Friday to face Braves right-hander Joel De La Cruz following a successful four-game rehab stint with Double-A Springfield (4-for-12 with a double and a homer). Carpenter was enjoying a great season before the oblique injury put him on the shelf in early July, slashing .298/.420/.568, and he should continue to provide excellent four-category production while batting atop the Cardinals' order.

Carpenter (oblique) will be activated prior to Friday's game against the Braves, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reports.

EDGE Analysis

He made his fourth and final rehab start Wednesday for Double-A Springfield and will use Thursday as a rest/travel day before joining the Cardinals for the weekend series at home against the Braves. Carpenter will return to the leadoff spot immediately, but he will move around in the field, primarily seeing time at third base and second base. Owners should be prepared to deploy him immediately upon is activation Friday.