JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter won’t start opening day after a setback in his recovery from a bulging disk in his neck.
The right-hander returned to St. Louis on Tuesday for tests. He threw live batting practice Sunday but didn’t feel right the next day. Manager Mike Matheny says “his shoulder is just not responding and they’re uncertain of the root of it.”
Kyle Lohse will start April 4 at Miami in his place. Lohse was 14-8 with a 3.39 ERA last season.
Righty Lance Lynn, a setup man, will take Carpenter’s spot in the rotation.
Carpenter turns 37 in April. He was diagnosed with the bulging disk March 3.
He pitched 273 1-3 innings last season — including playoffs — the most in baseball.
