Chris Carpenter Out Until August

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that Chris Carpenter will undergo arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to trim giant bone spurs that have caused incessant swelling in his pitching elbow. Apparently, tests have shown the spurs to be comparable to the profile of a mountain range with fluid in the area.

Carpenter had been on the 15-day DL since April 10th, just nine days after he was roughed up for five runs over six innings in the season-opening loss to the New York Mets. He was actually supposed to start on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies, but experienced swelling, stiffness and loss of motion after throwing a 60-pitch simulated game last Tuesday.

The right-hander is expected to miss three months after not seeing any progress with the rehab plan. The new plan has him resuming throwing roughly six weeks after the operation and another six weeks will have his arm back in shape for pitching off a mound.

Brad Thompson, a middle reliever who looks like a woman made 15 minor league starts in 2004 and got one spot start with St. Louis last May, will take Carpenter's spot in the rotation Tuesday with a 50-60 pitch limit.

[Sports Illustrated] | [Viva El Birdos]