29 Chris Carpenter, SP

Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter is hoping to join the rotation by late June or early July, CBSSports.com's Scott Miller reports.

The Cardinals initially thought a nerve condition in Carpenter's shoulder would cause him to miss the season. Progress in a throwing program allowed Carpenter to speculate on returning in the bullpen. Now, with Jaime Garcia out for the year following shoulder surgery, Carpenter is going to try and join the rotation.

The club has stated nothing is a sure thing, but Carpenter's status is a far sight better now than it was in February, when all bets were on his retirement.

The Cardinals have been hit by a number of injuries to their rotation, but they are still holding out hope that they can get a boost from Chris Carpenter this summer. According to CBSSports.com Senior Baseball Columnist Scott Miller, that outcome is starting to look more likely by the day. 

Carpenter is recovering from nerve problems in his shoulder and neck, and has come a long way in the course of the season's first two months.

"It's a 180-degee turn," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. "He was at a very low point in early February, and he's gone from there to where he really believes he can contribute. He likes his progress. He has confidence in the way he's throwing."

Carpenter is up to 80 pitches in his bullpen sessions, and is expected to throw again Thursday. He has yet to face live hitters, but that is expected to begin after his next bullpen session.

Despite his progress, the team has not put a firm date on his return, but a late June or early July date remains realistic. 

Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter, on the 60-day disabled list with an injured shoulder, threw an extended bullpen session before Saturday's game at Busch Stadium.

With Jaime Garcia sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder injury, Carpenter's recovery process takes on added significance. He is hoping to find his way back into the starting rotation.

"He's in phenomenal shape, we all know that," manager Mike Matheny told MLB.com. "He's a tireless worker and you could see that he was right at the point he wanted to be which was tired and see how he could still execute his pitches."

Carpenter will throw a short session Monday and then a long one Thursday before the team maps out his next step in recovery.

Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter is attempting to come back as a starter, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Carpenter threw 30 pitches during a bullpen session Wednesday as a "pre-game warmup." Carpenter will throw again Saturday and is expected to throw an "extended session." That session will involve Carpenter taking breaks after he pitches to simulate throwing a game. 

Carpenter said he and the team will have a better idea of if and when he'll return by May 28.

Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter threw a short side session on Wednesday and could be nearing a stint in the minors, MLB.com reports. The right-hander is expected to throw twice more before the club determines whether or not he is ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment.

"There's no question that it makes you feel like you're closer and makes you feel like you want to continue to go out there," Carpenter said. "I don't want to get ahead of myself. I want to slowly get back involved and make sure that I'm doing the things that I need to do to be ready when it's time."