Carpenter did not play in Friday’s game against the Cubs in order to rest the leg and help reduce the bruising. By his own estimate, Carpenter fouled at least six pitches off the same spot in his leg over the previous week, and in one game he fouled two pitches in an at-bat off that spot. In each case, it’s a breaking ball inside that he’s swatted at and nicked enough to send it diving harder into his right shin.
Carpenter, who lobbied to play Friday, and the Cardinals’ training staffers were exploring modified protection for him to wear when he returns to the lineup Saturday.