Neck stiffness plagues St. Louis Cardinals’ Chris Carpenter – MLB News
The St. Louis Cardinals’ starter Chris Carpenter is reported to be having neck stiffness that can be a worrying factor for the club. On Friday, March 9, he had to undergo an evaluation for the problem he is facing.
The persistent neck stiffness at this juncture certainly does not harbinger something good for the Cardinals given the unfavourable history of injuries the team has usually had prior to the commencement of the regular season.
Last year, for instance, it was Adam Wainwright who had an injury on his throwing arm which culminated with his complete departure from the entire season, leaving the team defence ever more vulnerable.
Although the team somehow compensated that loss, it was in effect, the invaluable contribution of Chris Carpenter that emboldened the team defence.
While there were earlier reports that the Cardinals’ starter will soon pitch in the Grapefruit League, there was no clear indication of as to when the pitcher will take the mound. The fact that the Cardinals opted for tentative schedule underscored the nature
of problem.
However, the flexibility in the schedule, to a great extent, has helped the Cardinals focus on the player. They do not certainly want repetition of an undesirable and dreaded outcome that Wainwright had the past year.
As he undergoes another evaluation, it will determine what the nature of problem really is. If the Cardinals have not announced any schedule for Carpenter to pitch in the Grapefruit League, they have already slated his name for next month’s Opening Day.
He will be the starter on April 4 in Miami; something that the fans will wait anxiously. As for how the team looks at the ongoing developments, the team manager Mike Matheny says they are patient to see changes.
“We're just kind of waiting and seeing," Matheny added. "We're just kind of watching and seeing when it seems right."
No matter what, the team indeed wants a fit Carpenter returning to the mound since his absence from the regular season can prove to be ultimately costly for the Cardinals; that too at a time when Adam Wainwright is looking to gain complete fitness.
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