Carpenter is scheduled to start Wednesday against Cubs

ST. LOUIS -- Chris Carpenter passed a final test with a short bullpen session Sunday and the St. Louis Cardinals' ace is due to come off the 15-day disabled list and start Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs.

Carpenter, on the DL since April 15 with a strained left rib cage muscle, had been set to throw another side session Tuesday before returning to the rotation this weekend. A rainout Friday led to a new plan.

"Two days, three days is not that big of a deal," Carpenter said. "I feel good and I'm looking forward to going out there."

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Kyle Lohse is set to pitch tonight's makeup game against the Brewers after working two innings of the rain-shortened game Friday, followed by Joel Pineiro on Tuesday.

The Brewers are holding back Yovani Gallardo, who retired only three of the eight batters he faced Friday, until Wednesday. Braden Looper, who played the three previous seasons with St. Louis, will start tonight in the finale of a three-game series.

Carpenter said he put enough effort into a bullpen session Friday, throwing four simulated innings, to realize he's ready.

"I'm going to go out and do the best I can for as many pitches as they give me," Carpenter said. "And when it's over, it's over."

-- AP