Last week, it was revealed that Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter had a rare condition known as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Still, at that time it was noted by MLB.com’s Jennifer Langosch that he would try to pitch through it, but now, that’s all changed. Joe Strauss:
The Cardinals and co-ace Chris Carpenter on Monday discussed a second shutdown and the possibility of season-ending surgery due to continued nerve-related shoulder problems that again arose following the pitcher’s most recent side session.
The club scrubbed Carpenter’s scheduled bullpen session Monday and has no timetable for Carpenter’s next session, according to a club source. Carpenter visited Dallas-based specialist Dr. Gregory Pearl last Thursday to discuss his alternatives as he confronts thoracic outlet syndrome, a rare condition that compresses nerves and blood vessels in a region between the collarbone and rib cage.
With the All-Star break approaching and no timetable for anything, it would seem that surgery might be Carpenter’s best option; if done soon, he could be ready to pitch again in 2013.
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