Cardinals RHP Carpenter leaves early with injury

[April 15, 2009]  PHOENIX (AP) -- St. Louis pitcher Chris Carpenter was removed with a strained left ribcage in the fourth inning of Tuesday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Carpenter was injured when he grounded out to third base to end the top of the fourth, team spokesman Melody Yount said. Carpenter went to the mound to warm up before the bottom of the inning, then called for a trainer.

The Cardinals led 3-0 when Carpenter was removed.

The 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner allowed four hits in three innings, striking out two. He has not allowed a run in 10 innings this season.

The 33-year-old right-hander made only four appearances last season after reconstructive elbow surgery. He underwent another procedure in November to transpose an elbow nerve that was irritating the muscles in the back of his shoulder and around his neck.

[Associated Press]

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