Cardinals third base coach and infield instructor Jose Oquendo said Matt Carpenter is "ahead of schedule" in his tryout at second base. Oquendo is referring to Carpenter being "ahead of schedule" as it relates to Skip Schumaker, who also made a move to second base without every having previously played the position. Of course, it's not surprising that Carpenter has caught on quicker since he, unlike Schumaker, has been an infielder. The Cards are hoping that Carpenter can become adequate enough at second to see ample time at the position in 2013. Even if Carpenter wins the starting job, Daniel Descalso would still likely see plenty of starts and also sub in as a defensive replacement late in games.

Matt Carpenter said the daily work he's been putting in this offseason at second base is going "great." "Obviously you can't simulate a real game, but there's definitely confidence built when you are working with something every day," Carpenter said. "There's a comfort level being built." Carpenter is a corner infielder by trade, but the Cards want him to get comfortable at second base in an effort to get his bat into the lineup. It's possible he could push Daniel Descalso into a utility role if he looks comfortable enough at the position in spring training.

The Cardinals have instructed Matt Carpenter to work on his defense at second base this winter. Carpenter profiles better as a third baseman or corner outfielder, but those spots are filled right now in St. Louis and the Cards want to get the 26-year-old's bat in the lineup on a regular basis. He had a promising .294/.365/.463 slash line in 340 plate appearances this season.

Taking the spot of the injured Carlos Beltran (knee), Matt Carpenter launched a two-run homer in Wednesday's win over the Giants. Beltran went down in the first inning with a knee injury, but Carpenter came up huge, taking Matt Cain deep in his first at-bat to give the Cards what turned out to be the winning runs. Although Beltran reportedly could be ready to play in Game 4, the Cardinals have a nice fallback option in Carpenter.

Matt Carpenter will start at second base Friday against the Dodgers. It's just his second career start (and fourth appearance) at second base. Carpenter has very little experience there, but the Cardinals clearly want to find a way to get his bat into the lineup more often.

Matt Carpenter (hands) is back in the Cardinals' lineup Sunday. Carpenter had to exit Saturday's contest after he suffered cuts on both hands during a broken-bat single. The cuts have been glued shut, and he's hoping to be able to continue batting without the use of gloves.

Matt Carpenter has been diagnosed with superficial lacerations on both of his hands. He suffered the minor cuts while singling off Michael Fiers during the third inning of Saturday's game. According to the Cardinals, he is expected to be available on Sunday. And he'll probably switch to batting gloves.

Matt Carpenter returned to action on Saturday September 1.

Matt Carpenter injured his right ankle during a fielding drill prior to Thursday's game. Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispacth notes that Carpenter "limped heavily through the clubhouse" after the game. The 26-year-old said he was available to pinch-hit, though, and thinks he could play Friday, if needed.

Cardinals activated INF-OF Matt Carpenter from the 15-day disabled list. Carpenter went 3-for-3 with a home run for Double-A Springfield Thursday in his final rehab game. He'll resume his role as a occasional starter at first base and in the outfield.