Brian34Cook

Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter throws for first time since having elbow surgery
Posted: Saturday Jan 19, 2008 5:00 PM

ST. LOUIS (AP) -Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter is throwing again and feeling good as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery.

"I just started tossing on Monday,'' Carpenter said Saturday at the 12th annual Cardinals Winter Warm-Up. "I haven't had any problems so far. I haven't had any soreness, but I know it's still going to be a long process.''

Carpenter, who underwent surgery in July on the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, said his early routine consists of about 25 to 30 throws from 60 feet. He said he is trying hard not to overdo anything.

"Everything so far is good,'' Carpenter said. "The shoulder feels strong and the elbow feels good. It's been fun so far.'

SI.com - Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter throws for first time since having elbow surgery

Brian34Cook

01/19/2008 7:28 PM ET
Carpenter progressing patiently
Cardinals ace throws for the first time since elbow surgery
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com

ST. LOUIS -- Chris Carpenter keeps crossing thresholds in his return from reconstructive elbow surgery. And he keeps having to remind himself that it's still a long, long way before he's pitching in a Major League game.

Carpenter underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in July, so every week brings a new step. Most recently, he began throwing a baseball -- soft toss from a short distance, but throwing a baseball just the same.

"I've had three throws, and I feel good," Carpenter said Saturday at the annual Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up. "I've got a whole lot after it. It's still at the beginning, so it will still be a long process.

"But I haven't had any problems so far. Everything feels strong. I'm going to see [Dr. George Paletta] I think [Sunday], and continue on with the program that they have. I'm going back down [to Florida] on Monday, and I'll keep throwing. Everything so far, so good. My shoulder feels strong. My elbow feels good. So hopefully we can continue on that path."

The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Major League Baseball News

Brian34Cook

03/11/2008 1:59 PM ET
Carpenter throws off mound for first time
Two more sessions coming for ace before heavy work begins
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com

JUPITER, Fla. -- In a camp where the Cardinals have encountered one pitching concern after another, the club has come upon some excellent news. Ace Chris Carpenter threw off a mound on Tuesday for the first time since he underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery last July.

Carpenter threw about 20 pitches, with Minor League pitching instructor Derek Lilliquist catching. Lilliquist got down in a crouch for the throws from Carpenter, who said he wasn't simply lobbing the ball in. The 2005 Cy Young winner will throw again from a mound on Wednesday and Friday, then will probably ratchet up his intensity level a bit next week.

"It was good," Carpenter said. "It was fun. I think I made 20 pitches. I got the ball going down real good. It came out nice. Everything was good."

The Official Site of The St. Louis Cardinals: News: Carpenter throws off mound for first time

Brian34Cook

Carpenter tosses Bullpen session
PA SportsTicker
Published: Friday, March 21, 2008

JUPITER, FLORIDA (TICKER) — St. Louis Cardinals injured ace Chris Carpenter threw a bullpen session Friday, a major step toward a healthy recovery for the righthander.

Carpenter, 32, is recovering from right elbow surgery after an injury cut his 2007 season down to just one game.

Carpenter, however, had become one of the majors’ premier pitchers after coming to the Cardinals in 2004. The 2005 Cy Young Award winner, he went 51-18 with seven shutouts from 2004-06.

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