STL Post-Dispatch: Ailing Birds are on the mend

A parade of regulars returning from the disabled list on this trip is expected to culminate with the Cardinals sending ace Chris Carpenter on a rehab assignment as early as this weekend.

Carpenter, recovering from elbow surgery, will fly to Florida today and pitch in an intrasquad game Wednesday. If his arm reacts favorably to his first competitive appearance since opening night, Carpenter will be shipped to a minor-league affiliate to begin building his arm strength toward a post-All-Star break return to the rotation.
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Catcher Yadier Molina took normal batting practice for the first time Monday and if his wrist feels fine today he “absolutely” could be back in the four-game series against the New York Mets that ends Thursday, Paletta said.

Shortstop David Eckstein (back spasms) will take batting practice today and expects to be ready to come off the disabled list when he’s eligible Friday. Pitcher Braden Looper (shoulder strain) is being considered for a start this weekend in Cincinnati.

“What we’ve been trying to do is just stay close until we get a lot of these guys back,” general manager Walt Jocketty said.

In an amusing contrast to the headline, some of the other stories in the section for Tuesday:
STL Post-Dispatch: Edmonds gets a cortisone shot
STL Post-Dispatch: Rolen stays off foot