Cardinals' Carpenter could make season debut next week

The St. Louis Cardinals may have pitcher Chris Carpenter back in their rotation as early as next week, according to MLB.com.

Carpenter has missed the entire season after being shut down in spring training with numbness and weakness in his shoulder, arm and neck. After three months of rest, Carpenter's return to throwing off a mound was short, as he underwent surgery to address the problem, thoracic outlet syndrome, in mid-July. He was expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Now the three-time All-Star is healthy, and barring a setback from a 90-pitch simulated game Saturday, will be back on a Major League mound at some point next week.