Carpenter was activated from the paternity list Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Carpenter will rejoin the Cardinals after leaving the team on Wednesday following the birth of his child. In a corresponding move, the Cardinals DFA'd Ruben Tejada to clear a spot on the roster. The Cardinals are yet to release a roster for Saturday's matchup with the Nationals, but Carpenter figures to be available.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak announced Thursday that Carpenter (paternity) is expected to return to the lineup Saturday, Jim Hayes of Fox Sports Midwest reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter left the team Wednesday to be with his wife for the birth of their child and he was subsequently placed on the paternity list Thursday. Per MLB rules, Carpenter can miss up to three games while on the paternity list, so he will miss Thursday and Friday's tilts, but he should return for Saturday's game against the Nationals.

Carpenter was placed on the paternity list Thursday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Carpenter will take a brief leave of absence from the team following the birth of his child. Per MLB rules, he'll have to miss at least one game, but no more than three games. As such, Carpenter could be back as early as Friday or as late as Sunday, when the Cards wrap up a four-game set in Washington. In a corresponding move, St. Louis recalled infielder Greg Garcia from Triple-A.

Carpenter may need to go on paternity leave, as his wife is expected to give birth Wednesday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reports.

EDGE Analysis

He is out of Wednesday's lineup, and if he is going to miss another game or two he could be placed on paternity leave. Ruben Tejada is starting at third base Wednesday and Jedd Gyorko is also an option at the hot corner if Carpenter misses further time.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Wednesday's matchup with the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter will sit out for the first time in 2016 in favor of Ruben Tejada starting at third and batting eighth. Carpenter has failed to get a hit in 16 career at-bats against Cubs' ace Jake Arrieta, so this is the perfect game for Carpenter to get some rest.

Carpenter went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a homer, six RBI and two runs against the Rockies on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

No, this game wasn't played in Coors Field, but you could be forgiven for suspecting that the Rockies brought the thin air with them. Carpenter's average is still lingering at a career-low .259, but that's the only mark against him -- after all, he's sustaining last year's power outburst while refining his plate discipline back to its pre-2015 level.

Carpenter went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in Tuesday's win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old now has four multi-hit games over his last five, and he has doubled his season home run total with three long balls in the last three games. Carpenter continues to bat leadoff for a Cards offense that ranks near the top of the league in most major categories, and his arrow is pointing up as we approach mid-May.

Carpenter went 2-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored in Sunday's 10-5 loss to the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

In reaching base four times on the day, Carpenter boosted his on-base percentage to a robust .380. He's not quite displaying the same sort of power that netted him 44 doubles and 28 homers in 2015, but Carpenter's strong batting eye and solid contact skills should enable him to stick at the top of the order.

Carpenter went 2-for-5 with a double, solo homer, two RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 6-4 victory over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

After the Pirates' Starling Marte had tied the game at four with a ground-rule double in the top of the ninth, Carpenter's two-run blast in the home half of the frame off reliever A.J. Schugel sent the Cardinals home winners. The veteran's bat has come alive somewhat in May after he entered the month hitting just .230, as he's managed multi-hit efforts in three of the month's seven contests, and posted three doubles, a homer, two RBI and two walks.

Carpenter is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

This appears to be a regular day off for Carpenter, as the 30-year-old hasn't had a day off yet this season. Ruben Tejada will fill in for him at the hot corner Wednesday.