Monday, May 20, 2013
After another pain-free, flat-ground throwing session on Monday, Jake Westbrook is hopeful that he can return to the mound on Tuesday for his first side session since being shut down due to elbow inflammation and biceps tendinitis.

Westbrook said he made 50 throws from a distance of 90 feet on Monday, shortly before the Cardinals opened up a series against the Padres at Petco Park. A day earlier, Westbrook played catch at 60 feet.

The veteran right-hander is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list on Friday, though he'll need more time than that to get his arm built back up after nearly a two-week layoff. Whether he'll be sent out to make a start in the Minors before returning has not yet been decided, Westbrook said. -- MLB.com

Saturday, May 18, 2013
Carpenter took another small step toward returning on Saturday, when he threw an extended bullpen session shortly before the Cardinals took the field for batting practice. He threw more pitches than he did on Wednesday and took breaks in between sets to simulate getting up and down during a game.


-- MLB.com

Saturday, May 18, 2013
Jaime Garcia, who has been bothered by an increasing amount of shoulder discomfort over the past two weeks, has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left shoulder strain. But unlike Jake Westbrook who is expected to only miss three starts as he recovers from an elbow injury Garcia is bracing for the possibility that his absence could be much longer.

Garcia will receive treatment recommendations from the Cardinals' medical staff, as well as Dr. James Andrews, who Garcia is scheduled to go see early next week. -- MLB.com

Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Jason Motte increased the intensity of his throwing on Tuesday, four days after he resumed playing catch to test the durability of his right elbow.

Motte estimated that he made 25 throws from about 60 feet before throwing 10 more times at a 90-foot distance. He said the elbow responded well to the session. -- MLB.com

Tuesday, November 30, 1999
Ailing Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal will have his Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday in Pensacola, Fla., where Dr. James Andrew will perform the operation, Furcal said this morning at Cardinals camp.

Furcal is expected to return here after the surgery to begin his rehabilitation period, which could last anywhere from six to eight months. --