Carpenter Throws Bullpen Session

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter, sidelined since opening day by an elbow injury, threw a bullpen session Saturday in the latest step in his rehab.<br/><br/>"He had a good throw, he

Saturday, April 28th 2007, 10:31 pm

By: News On 6

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter, sidelined since opening day by an elbow injury, threw a bullpen session Saturday in the latest step in his rehab.

"He had a good throw, he felt fine," manager Tony La Russa said. "The big key is tomorrow (Sunday). We need to make sure he bounces back the way he's supposed to."

Carpenter, a 15-game winner last year, began playing catch on Tuesday after a two-week layoff. His session on Saturday was his first off a mound since he encountered swelling a day after the opener.

The Cardinals need to fill a hole in the rotation on Tuesday at Milwaukee after optioning left-hander Randy Keisler, the fill-in for three of Carpenter's starts, to AAA Memphis. But La Russa reiterated that Carpenter would not be ready in time.

"He's got to come in tomorrow (Sunday) ready to go, and then you can get serious about a program," La Russa said. "Best case is we're going to be very careful and give him everything he needs."