Good news on the injury front

[Kingdom]

-no real hiccup on Carpenter's rehab

-Molina is out of the hospital


Pretty good news considering the recent injury to Pujols and that epic defeat to the phillies.


ESPN - Cards hope to have Carpenter back in '08; Molina out of hospital - MLB

Catcher Yadier Molina, who was flattened in a tag play at the plate on Sunday, said he hoped to be back in the lineup in a few days. Molina was still experiencing headaches from what the team diagnosed as a mild concussion but passed numerous tests after spending a night in the hospital as a precaution and said he could play in an emergency in Tuesday night's interleague game against the Kansas City Royals. Molina didn't get into the game, which the Cardinals lost 2-1.

[CrazyEights]

Mulder and Wellemeyer may be back next week.

[BronxBomberz]

Also Pujols soon

Initially projected to miss a minimum three weeks with a Grade I-II left calf strain, first baseman Albert Pujols is now expected to rejoin the team in Detroit and might be activated from the disabled list when first eligible Thursday.

Manager Tony La Russa spoke with Pujols on Friday and was encouraged by the player’s improvement from an injury once believed capable of sidelining Pujols through the All-Star break.

Pujols, who owns a home in the Kansas City area, originally planned to skip Boston and Detroit before rejoining the club on the trip’s final leg.

"He feels so good, I told him, ‘Your best preparation would be 2 p.m. during (batting practice),’ " La Russa said.

STLtoday - Pujols ready Thursday?