Chris Carpenter attempting a comeback

The former NL Cy Young award winner hopes to join the St. Louis Cardinals bullpen later this summer.

By Connor Moylan May 4, 2013, 4:00pm EDT

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter is attempting to make a comeback to the major leagues as a reliever, Joe Strauss is reporting.

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Carpenter did not participate in Spring Training this season after experiencing experiencing numbness in his right side. The former NL Cy Young award winner told the media that he still wanted to pitch, but he believed his career was over.

The right-handed pitcher has recently started a throwing program at Busch Stadium, and so far the news is positive. Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak told Strauss that he's "optomistic and excited" about Carpenter's chances to returning to the team. Mozeliak said that the team has not set a timetable for Carpenter, but they are hoping for a late June or early June return.

If Carpenter is able to make a comeback, it will not be as a starter, but as a reliever. The team is unsure if his arm could handle the strain of starting and the team is currently set in the rotation, as their starters currently lead the league with a 2.07 ERA.

The St. Louis bullpen, however, could use some help. Cardinals' relievers currently own a 5.67 ERA, the worst mark in the major leagues. The team recently promoted top prospect Carlos Martinez to the team's bullpen in hopes of shoring up the relief corps.