Carpenter to miss start due to elbow inflammation

Chris Carpenter will miss a turn in the St. Louis Cardinals' pitching rotation due to right elbow inflammation, though the team thinks its ace won't be out long. Carpenter complained of soreness Monday, the day after he struggled in the season opener against the New York Mets. An examination by team physician Dr. George Paletta on Tuesday did not include an MRI, and Carpenter said he thought his elbow already had improved. "I'm not a doctor, but I feel it's a little bit better," Carpenter said. The Cardinals said Carpenter will be evaluated over the next three days.

Carpenter allowed five runs in six innings during a 6-1 loss to the Mets on Sunday night. He has been the staff ace the last three seasons after missing most of the 2002 season and all of 2003 following shoulder surgery. Carpenter was an All-Star in each of the last two seasons, going 15-8 last year after winning the NL Cy Young Award with a 21-5 record in 2005.
Source: AP