WASHINGTON (AP) - St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter threw two simulated innings of live batting practice Friday six weeks after undergoing what was considered season-ending surgery to repair a nerve injury in his right shoulder.
"We went into today going out and face hitters if everything's going good. Take that next step and see what happens," said the 37-year-old right-hander after throwing before the Cardinals game against the Washington Nationals. Carpenter underwent neurogenic thoracic outlet surgery July 19.
"Like I said all along, I'm not just going to sit around and waste the month," the 2005 NL Cy Young award winner said. "If I have a shot, why not push it? Today was that step and it felt good. We'll see what happens tomorrow."
The injury occurred during spring training. Carpenter hasn't pitched in a game since winning Game 7 of the 2011 World Series against Texas.