Carpenter may have additional shoulder surgery

ST. LOUIS — A specialist recommended injured Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter undergo surgery for a compressed nerve in his shoulder, a procedure the team believes could have their ace back by spring training.

St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak on Tuesday described a "simple surgery" that could return the right-hander to activities in six weeks with an overall recovery time of about three months. Mozeliak said the injury is related to nerve damage that knocked Carpenter out for the 2004 postseason.

The Cardinals believe the diagnosis to be good news, and Mozeliak said the doctor, a thoracic specialist, believes "there's a reasonable chance for him to be fine."

"This is a situation that's reared its head again, and if it can be solved I think that's good news for him," Mozeliak said. "Based on how he was throwing the ball before this happened, I would be willing to bet he'll be someone who can really contribute to this club in a strong way."

Mozeliak said the 33-year-old Carpenter was encouraged by Tuesday's diagnosis. The GM said doctors believe the injury "appears to be coming from the same nerve."

Carpenter, the 2005 NL Cy Young winner, was shut down for the rest of the season Sept. 12 due to what the team then described as persistent weakness from a muscle strain in the shoulder. He last pitched in relief at Arizona on Sept. 2, working an inning of relief.

— AP