MLB odds: Cards again juggling pitchers

It might be time to pull the plug on the St. Louis Cardinals’ playoff hopes. They entered Wednesday seven games out of the NL Central lead and four out of the wild card.

While four games doesn’t sound like much, that’s behind the Milwaukee Brewers, who clearly appear to be the second-best team in the NL behind the Cubs, so there’s seemingly no way the Cards could jump the Brewers and the Central-leading Cubs.

Another reason to start jumping off the St. Louis bandwagon is that starter Chris Carpenter is hurt again. The right-hander, who left Sunday's game with pain in his right triceps, was diagnosed with a muscle strain. At least an exam revealed no damage to his rotator cuff, but he’ll miss at least his next start (set for Friday in Cincinnati), and it's unclear when his next bullpen session might be.

It was only the third start since Opening Day 2007 for the 2005 Cy Young winner.

Pitching coach Dave Duncan said any replacement for Carpenter would come from among his bullpen. He mentioned Brad Thompson and Jaime Garcia, who both have starting experience.

Of Thompson's 19 appearances this season, three have been starts. He is 4-2 with a 4.34 ERA. Garcia has six appearances, with one start. He is 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA.

Garcia has pitched only 11 innings for the Cardinals, while Thompson has thrown 45 2/3.

Meanwhile, likely because of the uncertainty surrounding Carpenter, the Cardinals are altering the rehab assignment of Adam Wainwright. He has been rehabbing to rejoin the team as a reliever, but will start Saturday in Double-A, and his pitch count will increase to 65 or 70 pitches.The Cardinals pushed his start back one day and elevated his pitch count to get him ready in case he's needed as a starting pitcher. Facing uncertainty with Carpenter, the Cardinals want Wainwright to be available for either role — starter or, potentially, closer.

We want to keep everything on the table as an option," general manager John Mozeliak said. "We decided we didn't want to get Wainwright in a position where he's throwing 25 pitches, 25 pitches and then, oh wait, we need him as a starter."

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