The Cardinals have lost 27-year old righty swinging C/1B Nick Stavinoha for the season due to a fractured hand. That’s a bad break for him as the Cardinals were sure to call him up next week when rosters expand. Stavinoha played in 39 games for the Cardinals this season and he was 20 for 87 (.230 avg, .621 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 2 homers and 17 RBIs. He also played in 72 games in AAA-ball this season in which he was 73 for 259 (.282 avg, .843 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 11 homers and 56 RBIs.

The Cardinals have placed starting CF Rick Ankiel on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder contusion caused by him running into the wall in the outfield. Ankiel has played in 24 games for the Cardinals this season and he is 20 for 81 (.247 avg, .721 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 2 homers and 11 RBIs. The player most likely to benefit from Ankiel’s injury is rookie Colby Rasmus. Rasmus has played in 24 games this season for the Cardinals and he is 19 for 74 (.257 avg, .700 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 1 homer and 6 RBIs. The Cardinals will miss Ankiel’s power while he is out as Rasmus is not that kind of hitter.

The Cardinals have placed 33-year old righty starting pitcher Chris Carpenter on the 15-day disabled list with a torn oblique muscle. Carpenter has started 2 games this season for the Cardinals and he is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.70 WHIP. He has now pitched in 100 games (99 starts) in his 6-year career with the Cardnals and he is 52-20 with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Carpenter worked so hard to get his arm back in shape that this is likely a devastating injury for him. The Cardinals need Carpenter to get well soon if they want to make a move in the division.

Troy Glaus has underwent shoulder surgery that could cause him to miss at least all of April. He played in 151 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 147 for 544 (.270 avg, .855 OPS) with 69 runs scored, 27 homers and 99 RBIs. 25-year old righty swinging rookie David Freese would likely be the starter at 3B until Glaus is ready ot return to action. Freese played in 131 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 142 for 464 (.306 avg, .911 OPS) with 83 runs scored, 26 homers, 91 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Even if Freese plays decent while Glaus is out the Cardinals will likely miss his power bat and defense.

33-year old righty starting pitcher Chris Carpenter recently had ulnar nerve transposition surgery to his right elbow. The Cardinals hope that Carpenter will be ready to pitch when spring training comes around but that might be wishful thinking. Carpenter only pitched in 4 games (3 starts) for the Cardinals last season and he was 0-1 with a 1.76 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Carpenter has pitched parts of five season for the Cardinals covering 98 games (97 starts) in which he is 51-20 with a 3.11 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. The Cardinals have really missed their ace the last couple of seasons and they need him if they are to get back to the post season.