Chris Carpenter acknowledged Thursday that he's been feeling neck stiffness for "5-6 days."

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals are "minimizing (the) situation." If they scratch Carpenter from his scheduled Grapefruit League debut Monday, it'll be time for real concern.

Chris Carpenter gave up four runs in one-plus innings of relief Thursday against the Cardinals.

Carpenter pitched a scoreless seventh, but he walked three and allowed a hit to start the eighth and all of the runners came around to score. He wasn't much of a candidate to make the Red Sox this spring anyway, but he hasn't helped himself so far.

Chris Carpenter skipped a throwing session Wednesday due to neck stiffness.

Carpenter is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut on Monday, but it's now possible he'll be pushed back, especially if he doesn't feel feel enough to throw on Friday. Stay tuned.

Chris Carpenter is penciled in for Opening Day.

The Cardinals kick of their regular season schedule in odd fashion, playing a single night game in Miami to help the Marlins open their new stadium before jetting off to Milwaukee for an actual three-game series vs. the Brewers. Carpenter will handle that one game against the Fish.

Red Sox acquired RHP Chris Carpenter from the Cubs as compensation for general manager Theo Epstein.

The situation is finally resolved after close to four months of fruitless haggling. Carpenter, 26, was a third-round pick in the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft. He can touch 100 mph with his fastball, but the right-hander posted an ugly 5.91 ERA in 42 2/3 minor-league innings last season and projects as nothing more than a middle reliever. The Sox will also get a player to be named later and will send the Cubs a player to be named later at some future date.

The Cardinals could have Chris Carpenter make one or possibly two fewer spring training starts than normal this year.

Carpenter threw a whopping 273 innings between the regular season and playoffs last year, so the team wants to save as many bullets as they can. Other than a stiff back that's the result of a two-day drive from St. Louis to Florida for spring training, the veteran righty feels fine physically, but the Cards could choose to be proactive. "It's all going to be based on how he feels," pitching coach Derek Lilliquist said. "He's experienced enough that he knows to be prepared for the season. We'll adjust it and tailor it as we see fit."

According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, ''concerns exist'' that the Cardinals will limit Chris Carpenter's innings this season.

Carpenter compiled a massive 508 innings over the past two seasons and has a complicated medical history that includes elbow and nerve issues. Entering his age 37 season, the Cardinals could look to protect their $21 million investment by lessening his workload over the first-quarter of the season. Carpenter is fully expected to be available for spring training after injuring his toe this offseason while on a fishing trip in the Amazon.

Chris Carpenter injured a toe earlier this month while on a fishing trip in the Amazon with friend Roy Halladay.

The story comes via a blog entry earlier this month from professional angler Skeet Reese, who joined Carp and Doc on the trip. Reese says Carpenter was injured while jumping from one boat to another and that the toe "was all swollen and black and blue the next morning." The Cardinals haven't said anything about the injury, and it's unclear if it's a non-issue or might be something that could affect his availability for the start of spring training. Also worth noting is that while on the trip, Reese and Doc evidently saved a stranded fisherman that had been attacked by an anaconda. Seriously.

Derrick Goold and Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch report that the Cardinals on Wednesday will interview third base coach Jose Oquendo and Phillies Triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg for their managerial vacancy.

Goold and Strauss also confirm that former Red Sox manager Terry Francona interviewed for the position Tuesday. Last week, the Cardinals interviewed former catcher Mike Matheny, Triple-A manager Chris Maloney and White Sox third base coach Joe McEwing for the job. It's not clear at this point who might be the favorite for the gig. They're hoping to have a successor for Tony La Russa by next week.

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan plans to return in 2012.

Duncan has one year remaining on his contract and a mutual option for 2013. Some speculated that he might walk away following Tony La Russa's retirement and his wife's illness, but that's apparently not the case. However, he has ruled himself out as a managerial candidate.

Chris Carpenter allowed two runs on six hits and struck out five over six innings in the Cardinals 6-2 win over the Rangers in Game 7 of the World Series.

Carpenter started out slow giving up two runs early but regained himself from the second inning on, averaging 93 MPH on his sinker and effectively working in his curve. After struggling in his last appearance on short rest he put together a gutsy Game 7 outing for the Cardinals. For the postseason Carpenter went 4-0 with a 2.77 ERA and 31 strikeouts over 36 innings.

The Cardinals have officially named Chris Carpenter as their Game 7 starter.

It was reported first by Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Thursday night, but the Cards hadn't made anything official until now. Carp struggled in his first ever start on short rest in the NLDS, but he's the team's best option to take the ball in the winner-take-all game. Edwin Jackson, Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook, who were the other options to start, will be available out of the bullpen.

Chris Carpenter will start Game 7 of the World Series against the Rangers Friday night in St. Louis.

It's technically Kyle Lohse's turn in the Cardinals' postseason rotation, and Edwin Jackson would also be working on a normal amount of rest, but manager Tony La Russa will turn to his workhorse in Friday evening's winner-take-all with Texas. Carpenter struggled the last time he pitched on short rest, but he's probably St. Louis' best option at this point. It'll be all hands on deck if he falters.

Chris Carpenter said he would be willing to start Game 7 if Wednesday's Game 6 is postponed.

Game 7 would be played on Friday if Wednesday's contest is postponed, giving Carpenter three-days rest. "I'm prepared for anything," said Carpenter. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa declined to discuss Game 7 options, but did indicate that he and pitching coach Dave Duncan have a plan if Wednesday is rained out. Carp has a 3.30 ERA in five starts this postseason. Kyle Lohse is the scheduled Game 7 starter if the game is played on Thursday.

Chris Carpenter said Monday that he will "absolutely" be available out of the bullpen for a potential Game 7.

It will be all hands on deck for both the Rangers and Cardinals if this wild Fall Classic goes to seven games. Kyle Lohse would likely start for St. Louis and Matt Harrison would likely take the mound in the first inning for Texas, but both managers would employ quick hooks. Carp has a 3.30 ERA in five starts this postseason.

Chris Carpenter allowed two runs on six hits and struck out four over seven innings in the Cardinals 4-2 loss to the Rangers in Game 5 of the World Series.

Carpenter looked to be in control for most of the game, featuring his curveball and retiring Josh Hamilton and Michael Young to start the sixth before giving up a game-tying solo home run to Adrian Beltre that ultimately sparked the Rangers comeback. The Cardinals had a chance to get back in front in the seventh when reliever Alexi Ogando walked three and gave up a single, but Allen Craig was thrown out on a busted hit and run and David Freese flied out to center with the bases loaded. St. Louis will now be forced to battle back from a 3-2 deficit behind starter Jaime Garcia in Game 6 and possibly Kyle Lohse in Game 7.

Chris Carpenter was terrific in Game of the World Series Wednesday, holding the Rangers to two runs on five hits and a walk over six innings in the 3-2 win.

He struck out four, with his only big mistake of the night coming when he left a ball up to Mike Napoli, who crushed it into the right-field seats for a two-run homer. Carp had no issues with the elbow, as he really started to settle in as the game went along and could have gone deeper had the Cards not had a scoring opportunity in the sixth. He now holds a 3.52 ERA in four playoff starts, and he broke a tie with Bob Gibson by picking up his eighth career postseason win with St. Louis. Carp will likely start Game 5 in Texas.

Chris Carpenter will start Game 1 of the World Series against the Rangers, manager Tony La Russa announced Tuesday.

As expected. Carpenter will face off against C.J. Wilson on Wednesday. St. Louis' Jaime Garcia will oppose Texas' Colby Lewis in Game 2. Kyle Lohse and Edwin Jackson will take the ball for the Cardinals in Texas for Games 3 and 4, respectively. Carpenter dealt with some soreness, specifically in the area of his triceps, following his start in Game 3 of the NLCS, but he's dismissing it as a problem. "My elbow's fine," Carpenter said, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Tony and (pitching coach Dave Duncan) wouldn't be throwing me out there if I wasn't. I'm fine for Wednesday." Texas has yet to announced their Game 3 and 4 starting pitchers.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Monday that Chris Carpenter's right elbow is a "non-issue."

Carpenter dealt with some soreness, specifically in the area of his triceps, following his start in Game 3 of the NLCS, but a team source said Monday that "all is well now." While The Cardinals have yet to officially announce a starter for Game 1 of the World Series against the Rangers on Wednesday, the veteran right-hander is widely expected to get the call.

Chris Carpenter is expected to start Game 1 of the World Series against the Rangers.

Carp was in line to start a potential NLCS Game 7 on Monday night at Miller Park, but he'll now get to rest until Game 1 of the World Series Wednesday in St. Louis. The veteran right-hander is capable of a gem every time out, but he'll be doing battle with a dangerous Rangers lineup. Texas is likely to throw C.J. Wilson in Game 1.