Chris Carpenter (shoulder, neck) did not feel good after his latest bullpen session so the Cardinals are backing him off his current throwing program.

Carpenter was scheduled to face live hitters for the first time on Tuesday, but that's not going to happen anymore. The 38-year-old right-hander will continue throwing long toss and bullpen sessions until he feels like he's truly ready to take the next step. He has made just three starts since the start of the 2012 season (not including the playoffs) due to nerve irritation in his neck and shoulder.

Chris Carpenter (shoulder, neck) threw a successful bullpen session on Friday.

The Cardinals are considering allowing Carpenter to throw to live hitters on Tuesday as the next step in his recovery. While he remains a tremendous re-injury risk, it looks like he's making tangible progress toward returning to the Cardinals' rotation. Assuming no setbacks, he could return to the mound near the end of June.

CBS Sports' Scott Miller reports that the Cardinals are hoping that Chris Carpenter (shoulder, neck) is able to join the starting rotation in late June or early July.

Carpenter was originally considered unlikely to pitch this season due to a lingering nerve condition in his shoulder and neck. However, he has been encouraged by his throwing program and has suddenly progressed from an option for the bullpen to the starting rotation. The 38-year-old has already stretched himself out to 80 pitches and could begin facing live hitters next week if all goes well. The Cardinals aren't counting on anything, but his unexpected return would provide a major boost for a club which will likely be missing Jaime Garcia (shoulder) for a while.

Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Chris Carpenter is conditioning himself to be a starter.

When it was initially revealed that Carpenter was going to attempt a comeback this season, the general assumption was that he would be aiming to join the St. Louis bullpen. But the veteran right-hander is stretching himself out in case a spot opens up in the Cardinals' starting rotation. The remarkable story continues.

Chris Carpenter (shoulder/neck) had another successful bullpen session on Wednesday.

Carpenter will throw again Saturday, next Monday and next Thursday before the next step is determined. It's possible he'll be ready for a rehab assignment at that time. Things are moving in a positive direction for the veteran right-hander, but he still has a ways to go.

Chris Carpenter said Sunday that he was given a cortisone shot in his right hip a couple of weeks ago.

The time off from pitching this spring has allowed Carpenter to heal other various lingering ailments, specifically hip and back issues. His shoulder is feeling especially strong and he is now aiming to return to the Cardinals sometime in late June or early July after initially being ruled out for the entire 2013 campaign.

Chris Carpenter (shoulder) threw over 70 pitches during a bullpen session at Busch Stadium on Friday.

Carpenter threw fastballs, and mixed in breaking balls as well, during the session. He's made significant progress in recent weeks and has high hopes of joining the Cardinals' bullpen before the All-Star break. Barring any setbacks, a return in late June or early July looks like a very real possibility.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals are hoping Chris Carpenter (shoulder) will be able to rejoin the team as a reliever at some point later this season.

Carpenter, currently on the 60-day DL, is still far from guaranteed to be healthy enough to contribute this year, but GM John Mozeliak thinks that a late June or early July return is possible. The 38-year-old right-hander recently resumed a throwing program, and will continue rehab with the hope of returning in a bullpen role. Carpenter has appeared in just 18 games in relief during his 16-year career.

Chris Carpenter (shoulder) told reporters on a visit to Cardinals camp Monday that he's unlikely to pitch again.

"I do (want to keep playing)," Carpenter said. "I don't think I can." The 38-year-old right-hander was placed on the 60-day disabled list in February with nerve irritation in his shoulder and has already been ruled out for the entire 2013 season. But he won't announce his retirement yet so he can get the final $12.5 million that is owed to him.

Cardinals placed RHP Chris Carpenter on the 60-day disabled list with discomfort in his right shoulder and neck.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster. Carpenter still hasn't given up hope of returning, but it's highly unlikely he'll contribute this season. The soon-to-be 38-year-old is owed $12.5 million in 2013.

Chris Carpenter (shoulder, neck) said during a press conference Monday that has not ruled out pitching at some point in 2013.

"We'll just have to see what happens through time," Carpenter said. "I have to make sure... my arm is healthy." Carpenter continues to work out, but he's not throwing and made it clear that there's no way he could do so as he currently feels. The veteran right-hander will get checked out by the Cardinals' team doctor once the club returns to St. Louis before determining the next step. He said he will not undergo another surgery. While the door isn't closed for Carpenter to pitch in 2013, it's not a likely proposition.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Tuesday that Chris Carpenter is still feeling discomfort in his arm and is "very unlikely" to pitch in 2013.

The determination was made after Carpenter recently felt the same symptoms that he dealt prior to undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome last year. The 37-year-old will seek medical attention, so he isn't quite ready to announce his retirement, but it's very possible that he has thrown his last pitch in the big leagues. Shelby Miller is likely the favorite to fill his spot in the rotation, so he gets a healthy boost in fantasy leagues, though Joe Kelly and Trevor Rosenthal could also be considered. Of course, it's worth noting that Kyle Lohse remains a free agent.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Chris Carpenter is considering retirement and is expected to address his future at a press conference on Tuesday.

Carpenter was limited to three regular season starts and three postseason starts last season following surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, but he said last month that he was feeling good. It's possible that he has encountered a setback since. Losing Carpenter would be a big blow for the Cardinals, but they could turn to some of their young arms or reach out to free agent right-hander Kyle Lohse.

Chris Carpenter stated Saturday that his throwing is going well, his shoulder is strong, and that he's anxious about testing his arm during spring training.

Carpenter noted that he's had a normal offseason and that he hasn't reported any issues or setbacks. It's important to note however, that Carpenter felt fully healthy heading into the 2012 season before the shoulder issue arose. If healthy, he'll represent a tremendous value in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts, but there is certainly a high risk of re-injury.

Chris Carpenter allowed five runs (two earned) on six hits over four innings in Sunday's NLCS Game 6 loss to the Giants.

Carpenter had the exact same line in his Game 2 start. Of his 76 pitches, 48 were for strikes, and he noticeably struggled with his command throughout. MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince noted that Carpenter "looked like a guy who had major surgery three months ago." With the series now even at 3-3, the Cardinals will attempt to reclaim their NL pennant behind Kyle Lohse in Game 7 on Monday.

Chris Carpenter wasn't too sharp in Monday's NLCS Game 2 loss to the Giants, allowing five runs -- two earned -- over four innings.

He was pretty unlucky during the Giants' decisive four-run fourth, as the Giants only hit one ball hard all inning, but the veteran righty wasn't hitting his spots most of the night. Carpenter pitched well in his three regular season starts and in D.C. last week, but tonight was definitely a step back. He's in line to pitch Game 6, if necessary.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny announced on Friday that Chris Carpenter will not be available out of the bullpen for Friday's critical Game 5 against the Nationals.

Carpenter tossed 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball in Wednesday's Game 3 victory, but with his injury history there was no way he was going to be considered on such short rest. Should the Cardinals survive and advance, Carpenter would likely start in Game 2 of the NLCS.

Chris Carpenter fired 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball Wednesday in the Cardinals' NLDS Game 3 defeat of the Nationals.

Carpenter allowed seven hits and issued two walks but pitched out of trouble in vintage form. The veteran right-hander now has the second-highest career postseason winning percentage in baseball history. He'll be a dangerous weapon if the Cardinals can advance to the NLCS.

Chris Carpenter held the Astros to two earned runs over six innings Wednesday in a Cardinals loss.

Carpenter pitched well, yielding just four hits while fanning three and walking none. But the Cardinals' offense failed to muster a single run against the Astros' Bud Norris and Wilton Lopez. Carp has a 3.27 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through his first two starts of the 2012 season. He'll get the Reds next.

Chris Carpenter pitched solidly in his 2012 season debut, surrendering two runs on five hits in his five innings of work.

Carpenter walked one and struck out two on the afternoon. There was a bit of rust, as was to be expected, and he struggled to locate his curveball. Still, he threw 47 of his 77 pitches for strikes and left in line to earn a victory before Fernando Salas blew a save in the ninth. He'll likely be stretched out to between 90-100 pitches when he takes on the Astros in Houston on Wednesday.