Carpenter Looks To Build A Healthy Season

I mentioned a few days ago that Chris Carpenter threw his first bullpen session of the spring and was able to throw his whole arsenal. Not the best control of that arsenal, but at least he was able to pitch without any discomfort neither during the workout nor following practice.

With the exception of five games, he has missed all of 2007 and '08 with injuries. Wonder if there is any connection to the team not making the playoffs these past two years and Carpenter's injury?

Carpenter does admit he is anxious for this season to get going. With his track record of injuries, I would be too. But don't mistake anxiousness for not having confidence. Confidence is something Chris is definitely not in short supply of.

But after so much disappointment the last two years, there will always be that little thought in the back of your head thinking something bad might happen. "I'm confident that I'm going to be fine and I'm going to go out and pitch and be successful just like I always have," Carpenter said. "But after so many ups and downs in the last two years, there's at times some doubt."

Carpenter was a decent pitcher while in Toronto before coming to the Cards. But it was not until coming to St. Louis that he became a Cy Young caliber pitcher.

Chris was 49-50 with the Blue Jays from 1997-2002. He then had 51 wins in his first three years playing in St. Louis. His complete record from 2004-08 is 51-20. It's such a shame to see a pitcher work so hard to become a great player only to be plagued by injuries.

So far this spring, Carp has thrown off a mound four times and is on the exact same training program as every other starter on the team. His actions are beginning to breed confidence in others too. Although many still have their reservations.

Mozeliak had his input, of course. "I'm not ready to get overly giddy on that topic yet," said J-Mo. "Because obviously it's great to see what he's doing and how he's feeling, but it is only Day 3 of a very long camp. Lots of things can happen. But yeah, there is some level of optimism just based on what we've seen."

He better get more 'giddy' than that because Carpenter just might be his saving grace. After the team did essentially nothing over the winter except watch other teams sign difference making players, a disappointing season could all but punch Moze's ticket right out of town when his contract expires next year.

That's all for today. Will somebody help me quiet this MZS? He has some sarcastic comment everyday.