Carpenter on track to return to mound today

~ The Cardinals plan to start their ace against the Chicago Cubs.

ST. LOUIS -- Chris Carpenter is set to return to the St. Louis Cardinals' rotation today. Outfielder Rick Ankiel might be back in the lineup, too.

Carpenter said Tuesday he's had no setbacks in his rehab from a strained left rib cage muscle that landed him on the 15-day disabled list April 15. The team decided against a final bullpen session after the 2005 NL Cy Young winner threw nearly 100 pitches Friday.

"I'm ready to get back out there," Carpenter said. "It's all come pretty quick, but I feel good and my throws have been good, so I'm excited."

Ankiel is eligible to come off the DL today. He bruised his right shoulder when he crashed headfirst into an outfield wall two weeks ago and has been playing in extended spring training.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said he'd wait until he saw Ankiel to decide if he's ready.

"We're going to take a look at him, work him out and see how he feels," La Russa said. "We'll make a judgment based on what we see."

Getting players back should boost the fortunes of a franchise that had lost seven of nine entering Tuesday's game against the Cubs.

Carpenter was hurt swinging the bat, but has said he won't be timid at the plate.

"I'm not out there trying to hit home runs, but I'm not going to not swing the bat either, and let the opposing team know they can throw three fastballs down the middle and I'm out," he said

Third prospect David Freese underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle from an injury sustained in a winter automobile accident.

Freese, a St. Louis native, made the opening day roster for the first time and hit .158 in 19 at-bats. He was optioned to Class AAA Memphis on April 20 after the Cardinals acquired reliever Blaine Boyer and decided to go with 13 pitchers during a 20-game stretch without a day off.

The team said in a release that Freese would begin therapy this week but that no timetable had been set for his return.