Cardinals activated RHP Chris Carpenter from the 60-day disabled list.

He'll make his season debut Friday at Wrigley Field. Carpenter was supposed to be done for the season after undergoing surgery to relieve thoracic outlet syndrome in July, but he's made a rapid recovery and will make three starts down the stretch for the Cards during their playoff push. The team is expected to allow the veteran righty to throw 90-100 pitches against the Cubs.

Chris Carpenter (neck, shoulder) will make his 2012 debut Friday against the Cubs.

Chris Carpenter (neck, shoulder) played catch Sunday and said his arm felt good.

The Cardinals will announce after Sunday's game their rotation plans for the upcoming series against the Astros. Barring a surprise, Carpenter is expected to be named Thursday's starter. He would be preceded by Kyle Lohse and Lance Lynn.

Chris Carpenter (neck, shoulder) was very encouraged with the results of his 95-pitch simulated game on Saturday.

The Cardinals will see how he responds the next two days before announcing their rotation plans, but it's looking increasingly likely that he'll return to the Cardinals rotation this week. He should make three starts down the stretch run for the Cardinals and is instantly worthy of a pickup in all mixed leagues.

Chris Carpenter (neck, shoulder) is expected to make his season debut for the Cardinals next week.

That's assuming, of course, that Saturday's 90-pitch simulated game goes off without a hitch. What day Carpenter will debut is still up in the air, but if he gets the ball on regular rest after his simulated game, he'll face the Astros on Thursday at Busch Stadium. It had been assumed the veteran right-hander would be lost for the season after he had surgery in July to alleviate the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome, but he's progressed much quicker than anticipated.

Chris Carpenter (neck, shoulder) threw about 70 pitches in a four-inning simulated game Monday in San Diego.

Carpenter is in the process of building up his arm strength following surgery in July to alleviate the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome. The veteran right-hander will likely throw another simulated game before the Cards decide whether he's ready to make a start. He's well worth stashing in DL spot in most fantasy leagues.

Chris Carpenter (neck, shoulder) is a possibility to replace Jake Westbrook in the Cardinals' starting rotation.

Carpenter is scheduled to throw a five-inning simulated game Monday, so he isn't a realistic option for Westbrook's next start. If Westbrook requires an extended absence, Carpenter will be considered over Shelby Miller, Trevor Rosenthal and Lance Lynn.

Chris Carpenter (neck, shoulder) threw a side session Friday without incident.

It was his first mound session since throwing 50 pitches on Tuesday. The next step calls for Carpenter to throw 60-70 pitches Monday in his first of two simulated games during the team's upcoming seven-game road trip. The veteran right-hander is aiming to return before the end of the regular season.

Chris Carpenter (neck, shoulder) is scheduled to face live hitters on Tuesday at Busch Stadium.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak told reporters on Monday that there's a "realistic" chance Carpenter could return to the starting rotation this season. It's quite a turnaround for the veteran right-hander, who was basically ruled out for the year when he underwent surgery to alleviate the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome back in mid-July. He hasn't thrown a pitch in a major league game since the 2011 World Series.

Chris Carpenter threw two simulated innings of live batting practice on Friday

It was his first time facing live hitters since undergoing surgery in mid-July to alleviate thoracic outlet syndrome. While it was assumed that the surgery would end his season, Carpenter hasn't ruled out the possibility of returning in September. "Like I said all along, I'm not just going to sit around and waste the month," said Carpenter. "If I have a shot, why not push it? Today was that step and it felt good. We'll see what happens tomorrow."

Chris Carpenter (thoracic outlet syndrome) played catch Wednesday and is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Friday.

Carpenter bounced back well from a bullpen session Tuesday, which was his first since undergoing surgery in mid-July to alleviate thoracic outlet syndrome. The veteran right-hander is progressing faster than expected, and he and the Cards haven't ruled out a return later this season. It still seems like a longshot, though.

Chris Carpenter (shoulder, neck) resumed his throwing program Friday.

Carpenter made 50 throws of at least 120 feet as part of his recovery from surgery. His rehab is reportedly going well, but it remains to be seen whether he'll be ready to pitch next year. The Cardinals expect to know before the end of the season.

Chris Carpenter (shoulder/neck) had a light throwing session from 40-60 feet Thursday.

It's the first time he's thrown since undergoing surgery in mid-July to alleviate thoracic outlet syndrome. Carpenter admitted to still feeling a "mild sensation" from the procedure, which shouldn't be a surprise or something to worry about. The veteran righty is hoping to know by the end of the season whether the surgery worked and he'll be ready to pitch next year.

Chris Carpenter underwent surgery Thursday in Dallas to correct his thoracic outlet syndrome.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said doctors were "pleased" with the initial results of the procedure. Carpenter is aiming to get back near 100 percent health by the start of spring training next February, but he's 37 years old and might not recover so quickly. The veteran right-hander did not throw a pitch this season. He led St. Louis to its 11th World Series title in 2011.

Chris Carpenter is scheduled to have surgery Thursday in Dallas to correct his thoracic outlet syndrome.

The procedure will knock him out for the remainder of the 2012 campaign and the subsequent rehab could linger into the start of spring training next February. But Carpenter signed a two-year, $21 million contract extension with the Cardinals last September and is fully expected to pitch in 2013. He will turn 38 years old next April.

Chris Carpenter will undergo surgery for his thoracic outlet syndrome and is done for the rest of 2012.

It's a tough blow to the Cardinals, who signed Carpenter to a two-year, $21 million contract extension last September. The 37-year-old right-hander did not throw a pitch in 2012 and will carry a load of question marks into spring training next February. St. Louis should be very active at this year's July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, on Monday the Cardinals and Chris Carpenter (shoulder) discussed a second shutdown and possible season-ending surgery.

The Cardinals cancelled Carpenter's scheduled bullpen session on Monday and while they have yet to announce the reason for the change, it certainly sounds ominous. The veteran right-hander was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome on Thursday, but he hoped to delay surgery until the offseason. However, after experiencing continued weakness in his recent throwing sessions, he may have no other choice.

Chris Carpenter (shoulder) did not throw a scheduled bullpen session Monday.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Carpenter simply wanted one more day of rest. However, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com suspects there might be more to the story, noting that the right-hander was nowhere to be seen in the clubhouse or on the field. Langosch was told by a Cards official that Carp's status will be addressed Tuesday.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak confirmed surgery remains an option for Chris Carpenter (shoulder).

"Right now, as we see it, he's just going to try and keep throwing and see if he can pitch through it," Mozeliak said. "In a perfect world we would address (the condition) this offseason. As far as the probability of what we can expect from him this year, I think it's a little too early to tell." Carpenter was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome on Thursday, and the Cardinals plan to redefine his status early next week. He's scheduled to continue his throwing program either Sunday or Monday.

Chris Carpenter was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome.

The determination was made after Carpenter traveled to Dallas, Texas on Thursday to visit Dr. Gregory Pearl, a specialist in thoracic outlet syndrome. Symptoms of the condition include pain in the neck and shoulder and a weak grip. The 36-year-old right-hander threw a bullpen session Friday and fully intends to pitch through the condition, but Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak confirmed that he will likely require a procedure during the offseason.