Chris Carpenter Goes on the DL

Everyone kind of had a feeling this was coming after today's earlier announcement, but after visiting the doctor today, it's official: Chris Carpenter is going on the 15-day DL with arthritis and an elbow "impingement." I don't know what that is, but this is what the wire report says:

Carpenter, limited to one start this season, will rest for the next 10 days to two weeks and will be re-examined after that. The condition sometimes requires surgery but also can be cured by rest and treatment.

According to a statement issued by the team, there was no evidence of an acute ligament injury -- a problem that would have required surgery and likely would have finished Carpenter's season.

An impingement occurs when a thin layer of membrane that lines the elbow becomes caught in the elbow joint. The problem is relatively common among athletes who have a repetitive elbow motion, such as throwing a pitch or swinging a golf club. Arthroscopic surgery can repair the usually painful injury if initial treatment is not successful.

All in all, it sounds like things could be a lot worse for Carp. If arthroscopic surgery is the worse thing on the menu ahead, he probably won't miss a whole ton of time this year. Then again, things that go like this never seem to end well. "He's going to miss one start. No, wait two. No, wait, he's on the DL but it's not serious. Oh, wait, see you in '08." Or maybe that's just what I'm used to because I'm a Pirate fan. But hey, the Cards still have Braden Looper, right? No, seriously.

Previously at the Fanhouse
Chris Carpenter to Miss Tuesday Start, See Doctor Today
Who Needs Chris Carpenter When You've Got Braden Looper?