Chris Carpenter suffers a setback

Chris Carpenter’s rehabilitation has been put on hold after the St. Louis Cardinals pitcher injured his lower back in a bullpen session.

General Manager John Mozeliak said Thursday that any contribution this season from Carpenter, sidelined since February because of nerve issues on the right side of his body, would be a bonus.

The 38-year-old Carpenter had been steadily progressing before the back tightened after he finished throwing Sunday. Mozeliak expected that the team would have a better handle on the situation after other doctors in St. Louis weighed in on the back issue.

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While the Philadelphia Phillies struggle to achieve even a winning record, speculation persists that Cliff Lee and Jonathan Papelbon will be available before next month’s non-waiver trade deadline, but that’s not necessarily the case. General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told the Associated Press that Lee and Papelbon are “championship-caliber players,” adding, “If we think about moving these guys, then I better be getting someone of better or equal value and I just don’t see that happening.”

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Pitcher Jake Peavy still believes that his return to the Chicago White Sox from a left rib fracture will take from four to six weeks. Peavy added that he wouldn’t have a specific timetable until he can start throwing a baseball.