The Cardinals expect Chris Carpenter to return from the disabled list on Wednesday and start that evening's game against the Cubs. Carpenter has been out since April 14 due to a strained left oblique muscle.
"I'm always excited about going out and competing," Carpenter said on Sunday morning. "That's what this is all about. That's what this game's about, and that's what pitching's about -- going out there and competing at this level, and I enjoy doing it. I'm looking forward to Wednesday night."
The 2005 Cy Young Award winner threw four simulated innings on Friday, followed by a bullpen session on Sunday morning. The club finally decided to pull the trigger on starting Carpenter after the Sunday session.