Matt Carpenter to DL; Cardinals Call Up Steven Hill

The St. Louis Cardinals have placed Matt Carpenter on their 15-day disabled list with a strained oblique.  Carpenter was forced to leave Tuesday night’s contest due to the injury, and an MRI taken Wednesday revealed the strain.  Carpenter becomes the latest Cardinals player to hit the DL, following fellow first baseman Lance Berkman to the shelf.  To replace Carpenter on their roster, the Cardinals have called up Steven Hill from Triple-A.

Carpenter sustained his oblique injury after hitting a double during Tuesday night’s game against the San Diego Padres.  Carpenter had to leave the contest following his two-bagger, as he was in noticeable pain exiting the field.  Carpenter later described the pain as having a knife stuck into his ribs.

There is no timeframe for Carpenter’s return, but oblique strains tend to be lingering injuries.  Most players are not ready to go following their required 15-day stint on the DL, as they can often be sidelined for about a month.

Though already 26, Carpenter had been receiving regular playing time at the major league level this season for the first time in his professional career.  Over his 39 games with the Cardinals, Carpenter hit at a clip of .288/.356/.519 with 15 extra base hits, 20 RBIs and 16 runs scored.

Carpenter joins other first base options Lance Berkman and Allen Craig on the Cardinals disabled list.  Until Carpenter or Craig are able to return, rookie Matt Adams figures to get a majority of the playing time at first.  Adams has only been with the Cardinals for three games, but he maintained an OPS of .978 in Triple-A before making his major league debut this season.

Steven Hill made his debut with the Cardinals in 2010, but spent the entire 2011 season in the minors.  Hill has been used primarily as a catcher in the minors, though he has also spent time at first base and in the outfield.  Over his six seasons in the minors, Hill has a career line of .287/.338/.516.

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