JUPITER, Fla. • Matt Carpenter, who has been on the rehab program for nearly a month now after suffering back discomfort before camp officially opened, said he would make his first appearance in a Cardinals lineup on Tuesday. Carpenter said Saturday that he would serve as the designated hitter as the Cardinals play Miami.
But the bigger story may come in succeeding games. Carpenter, who had right shoulder problems much of last season, has been asked by infield coach Jose Oquendo to adjust his elongated, overhanded throwing motion to one that is more three-quarters. And Carpenter, the first baseman who could play third, too, likes it.