Carpenter to see specialist, surgery still an option

Sep 24, 2008 - 10:15 PM ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- St. Louis Cardinals righthander Chris Carpenter is having his ailing right shoulder evaluated by a specialist on Wednesday, with his immediate future likely to be determined the following day.

The former National League Cy Young Award winner has appeared in just five games over the last two seasons due to a variety of ailments in his throwing arm. Over the last week, several local neurologists have determined that he is suffering from "compression and a scarring of nerves feeding his right shoulder," according to a report by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Surgery has been recommended but is not definite.

Carpenter underwent "Tommy John" surgery to remove bone spurs in his right elbow in 2007 and repeatedly has been set back in his attempt to return to the Cardinals' rotation. After an August 10 start in which he lasted just 5 1/3 innings, he was diagnosed with a muscle strain, though a recent MRI found no structural damage in his arm.

He made one more appearance this season, tossing an inning in relief on September 2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

According to the Post-Dispatch, team medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta recommended an MRI be performed on Carpenter's neck. The results showed there was damage in at least five nerves.

The Cardinals also announced on Wednesday that lefthander Randy Flores will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder on Thursday. The reliever on Monday underwent an MRI, which showed a small cyst and fraying in his labrum.

In 43 games this season, the 33-year-old Flores went 1-0 with one save and a 5.26 ERA.