Matheny trusts Carpenter's self-evaluation

ST. LOUIS -- After publicly expressing frustration with the result of his rehab appearance in Memphis on Sunday, veteran right-hander Chris Carpenter is expected to discuss his take on the outing with the Cardinals on Sunday or Monday. It will be after that meeting that the Cardinals will determine Carpenter's next step.

Manager Mike Matheny said that he had a brief discussion with Triple-A Memphis manager Ron "Pop" Warner on Sunday morning, but he awaited Carpenter's assessment before forming any conclusions.

"I just saw the line," Matheny said. "Right now, our main concern is how he feels. And once again, I trust his evaluation as much as anything. He's a pretty honest evaluator of himself. I'm excited to talk to him and see exactly how he felt."

Carpenter threw 74 pitches (49 strikes) over 3 1/3 innings on Saturday. He allowed nine hits, four earned runs, walked two and struck out two in what was his second Minor League rehab appearance. If he were to continue pitching every five days, Carpenter would take the mound next in Memphis on Thursday.

"I think if he went out there and threw up all zeros and still didn't feel right, that he would still be pretty upset," Matheny said. "We're excited that he had the strength to get through that. I'm more interested in hearing how he felt. Reading some of the quotes made me believe that he didn't think he was real sharp. But it's going to be something that we evaluate after we get a chance to talk to him personally."