Carpenter pitches to teammates

MILWAUKEE -- Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter, sidelined since opening day with an elbow injury, threw against teammates on Tuesday in another step in his rehab.

Carpenter said he felt fine after the workout. He will be re-evaluated today.

"We'll see what happens tomorrow," Carpenter said of his outing that lasted about 60 pitches over three simulated innings. "If everything's perfect tomorrow, we'll go from there."

Manager Tony La Russa said they won't plan for Carpenter's next step until they check him out on Wednesday, but La Russa was encouraged when he watched Carpenter's performance.

"Impressive," La Russa said. "That was an extensive workout today."

Carpenter, a 15-game winner last year, went on the disabled list on April 10 because he had swelling in his right elbow a day after giving up five runs in the opener. Carpenter said he wasn't worried about building stamina.

"I was just being competitive," Carpenter said.