Ex Red Randy Keisler to start for the Cards if Carpenter cant go Tuesday

[redsfan4445]

WOW, i thought they had better choices in the Minor Leauges than pick Randy Keisler!!

Per rotoworld.com:

"The Cardinals are planning to call up Randy Keisler to start Tuesday in place of Chris Carpenter.

That's quite a downgrade. The 31-year-old Keisler, who started four games for the Reds in 2005, has a 6.82 ERA in 17 starts and 34 relief appearances as a major leaguer."

[cincrazy]

The Cardinals are officially in a boat load of trouble. I think this season for the Cards could mirror the season that the Steelers had last season... an almost improbable postseason run, followed by a disappointing follow-up campaign with equal helpings of bad luck (Carp getting hurt) and controversy (Hello Mr. Tony LaRussa).

[Razor Shines]

I'd probably start drinking too.

[captainmorgan07]

wow if there only choice is keisler they are in deep trouble

[bucksfan2]

The cards are in trouble. They had two things that no one else in the NL central had in Pujols and Carpenter. You can argue that Ozwalt and Berkman are close but not as good as the cards. Carpenter is a stopper and an ace and I wonder how the rest of the staff will pitch without him in there. I think their window of central dominance is collapsing before our eyes. Hopefully the reds step up this season because it is a wide open division.

[Chip R]

They rode a ragtag pitching staff and Pujols and Edmonds injured for significant amounts of time to a World Series championship. They have one of the best managers not only in the game but of all time and probably the best pitching coach in the game today. Don't count them out just yet.

[PuffyPig]

They rode a ragtag pitching staff and Pujols and Edmonds injured for significant amounts of time to a World Series championship. They have one of the best managers not only in the game but of all time and probably the best pitching coach in the game today. Don't count them out just yet.

I would never count out the cards. But this may have just brought the Cards back to the pack.

[NatiRedGals]

Its offical now

PITTSBURGH -- Randy Keisler signed with the Cardinals in the offseason hoping to get a chance to start. He'll get his chance on Tuesday in the team's eighth game of 2007, though not in a scenario anyone wanted to see.

Keisler will be recalled from Triple-A Memphis to start in place of ace Chris Carpenter, who is expected to be placed on the 15-day disabled list due to swelling in his right elbow. Keisler started Memphis' season opener on Thursday, allowing a run on five hits over five innings and receiving a no-decision.

"I think he'll pitch effectively, and it's his day to pitch, so he's the best choice," manager Tony La Russa said.

Carpenter was pushed back from his originally scheduled start Friday night in Houston to Tuesday in Pittsburgh after he initially felt discomfort in his elbow. Medication eliminated the swelling, and Carpenter threw a bullpen session on Saturday. But after he encountered more swelling and discomfort on Sunday, he was scratched.

Carpenter accompanied the Cardinals on their flight from Houston to Pittsburgh, then headed home to St. Louis. He was scheduled to be examined by Dr. George Paletta, the team's head physician, on Monday. Following that exam, Carpenter and the club should have a much better idea how long the 2005 National League Cy Young Award winner will be out.

Speculation for a replacement had centered around right-handed prospect Blake Hawksworth, who starts Monday night for Memphis. However, La Russa pointed to Hawksworth's limited professional experience -- the 24-year-old has made just 13 starts above Class A, and none above Double-A.

"Keisler's got some experience, and Blake could use a little seasoning in Triple-A before he gets the assignment," La Russa said.

If the Cards did not expect to place Carpenter on the disabled list, they might have gone with a "bullpen game." Instead, Keisler will be called up to take at least one turn. Keisler has made 17 career big-league starts, going 2-4 with a 6.19 ERA.

Spiezio sick: Utility man Scott Spiezio's sore back is doing a little better two days after he took a tumble into a wall in Houston. Unfortunately, Spiezio is now dealing with yet another malady -- he and his wife woke up on Monday morning feeling sick, possibly from food poisoning.

As of late Monday morning, Spiezio was back at the team's hotel rather than at PNC Park. Spiezio has made only one start and has a total of five at-bats this year as a result of back trouble.

"He's off to a rough start," said La Russa, who indicated that Spiezio would otherwise have been available to play on Monday. "We'll try to get it all out of the way early."

This date in Cardinals history: On April 9, 2004, Carpenter made his debut in a Cardinals uniform. He allowed five runs on seven hits over six innings, but was credited with the win as St. Louis beat the D-backs, 13-6, at what is now called Chase Field. Reggie Sanders hit two homers in the win.

Baby 'Birds: Triple-A Memphis won its third straight to go to 3-1 on the year with a 4-1 victory over Oklahoma on Sunday. Matt Ginter pitched six innings without an earned run and Brian Falkenborg struck out three batters for the save. John Rodriguez kept up his torrid hitting with a single and a homer, and Nick Stavinoha went deep as well. ... Mitchell Boggs allowed three runs on seven hits in five innings to take the loss for Double-A Springfield, which fell to Frisco, 4-1. Jon Jay singled twice. ... Class A Palm Beach and Class A Quad Cities were both off on Sunday.

The player of the day was Ginter, who was excellent in his Memphis debut. The right-hander permitted three hits and one unearned run, striking out five without a walk. He signed with the Cardinals as a Minor League free agent this spring.

Coming up: Keisler will make his first appearance in a Cardinals uniform on Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. CT. He'll be opposed by yet another in the Pirates' brigade of promising young starters, left-hander Tom Gorzelanny.

Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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[reds44]

He's a better hitter then pitcher.

[Degenerate39]

Why couldn't we play against the Cards now while he's out

[Dracodave]

Anyway way Keisler becomes the new Jeff Weaver...?

[Chip R]

Why couldn't we play against the Cards now while he's out


We will in a couple of weeks but after that, not till June.

[Razor Shines]

Why couldn't we play against the Cards now while he's out

I predict that Keisler has the game of his career if he faces the Reds.

[Degenerate39]

We will in a couple of weeks but after that, not till June.

Carp will probably be back by then

[Redsfan08]

He did pretty good when he pitched for us why did we get rid of him.

[RedsManRick]

I'm not sure I'd call a 6.27 ERA and 1.64 WHIP "pretty good".

[RedsMan3203]

Chris Carpenter will be placed on the disabled list because of moderate arthritis and a mild impingement in his pitching elbow.

Carpenter had an MRI scan and exam today by team physician Dr. George Paletta in St. Louis. "Chris will be placed on the disabled list (retroactive to April 2)," the Cardinals said in a statement, "and will rest and be re-evaluated in the next 10-14 days." An arthritic elbow hardly seems like a good condition for a pitcher, but the team is pleased Carpenter doesn't have any ligament damage. Maybe he'll be back sometime around the end of the month. Randy Keisler will be called up to start in his place on Tuesday.

per rotoworld.

[Degenerate39]

It'll be good for the Central if he misses 2 or 3 starts.

[NorrisHopper30]

He did pretty good when he pitched for us why did we get rid of him.

6.82 era is great.

[RedsMan3203]

6.82 era is great.

For a Red, it is... ;)

[UPRedsFan]

Maybe they would be interested in a certain left hander we have?

[tripleaaaron]

I would love if they were interested in that certain lefty, but Im pretty sure they aren't, and even if would prob not want to deal within the division. They are hurting, but I dont think anyone is hurting bad enough to take him on.