Carpenter leaves game against Pirates in third with right oblique injury
ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals biggest loss didn't come on the scoreboard Wednesday night.
All-Star second baseman Matt Carpenter left the 7-5 defeat to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third inning after swinging awkwardly at a pitch from Jeff Locke. He has a right oblique injury and his status is uncertain.
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Carpenter, who was recently named to his third All-Star Game, was in an MRI tube as he spoke to reporters after the game.
"I have a high level of concern because I've felt that injury and I've seen it," Matheny said. "It can be tough, but I'm not going to make any conclusions until we hear from the people that know what they're talking about."
Kolten Wong replaced Carpenter, who was batting .298 with 14 homers and a team-high 53 RBIs from his leadoff spot.
"Hopefully it's not bad at all for Carp," Wong said. "Hopefully it's maybe just a pinch or something and hopefully he will be back in a couple of days."
