Carpenter makes second Minor League rehab start

ST. LOUIS -- Chris Carpenter threw 74 pitches (49 strikes) over 3 1/3 innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Memphis on Saturday. The outing was Carpenter's second since beginning his maximum 30-day Minor League rehab assignment on Monday.

Oklahoma City, the Triple-A affiliate of the Astros, peppered Carpenter for nine hits and four earned runs. Carpenter walked two and struck out two. He induced only five swing and misses.

The Cardinals, as part of their plan to build Carpenter up to carry the workload of a starter, set a pitch limit of about 75 going into the night. Last Monday, Carpenter threw 54 pitches in a start against Double-A competition.

As long as he has no health setbacks, Carpenter will continue to pitch every five days. With Memphis home through next Thursday, the 38-year-old right-hander will likely make his next rehab start back in Triple-A. He has enough time left on this rehab assignment to make as many as four more starts.

Carpenter began the season sidelined by recurring symptoms from thoracic outlet syndrome. He had to briefly stall his throwing program in June due to a separate back injury, but Carpenter has incurred no setbacks since.