When the Cardinals’ Chris Carpenter was first diagnosed with nerve irritation in his shoulder, he and the team both hoped he could return by May.

May has come and gone. It’s almost mid-June. He’s still not back and there’s still no timetable. But there is news! Joe Strauss:

Chris Carpenter will return to the mound later this week for the first time since mid-March, barring a setback in a strength-and-conditioning program to support a right shoulder affected by a nerve disorder.

Carpenter said Sunday the Cardinals’ training staff has yet to provide a specific day for his first bullpen throw but that he expects it to occur during the team’s current homestand.

Carpenter has been throwing off flat ground. So he’s making progress. The article quotes him as saying he’s been making “huge steps”, but there is still no specific date anticipated for his return. The Cardinals could use him, but they’ll have to be patient.

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