ST.LOUIS -- Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter underwent successful ulnar collateral ligament reconstructive surgery, or Tommy John surgery, on Tuesday.

Cardinals team doctor George Paletta performed the surgery in St. Louis. The right-hander will begin rehab in the next several weeks and will resume pitching in 2008.

Cards manager Tony La Russa said the organization looked at every possibility before settling on surgery for Carpenter. The right-hander got a second and third opinion before deciding to go ahead with the surgery. That decision was made on last Friday while the team was in Atlanta.

Instead of going ahead with the surgery right after Carpenter was injured, the Cards wanted to wait and see if surgery was indeed necessary. It looked for a while as if Carpenter was not going to have to undergo surgery, as he made two rehab starts with Class A Palm Beach before being shut down for good.

"If we had done the more conservative approach, we would have had him back sooner," La Russa said. "But, you just never know."

The normal recovery time for Tommy John surgery is 10-12 months, closer to 12 for a starting pitcher like Carpenter. Carpenter made just one start in 2007, which came on Opening Day against the Mets. He gave up five runs in six innings.

Izzy noncommittal: Jason Isringhausen hasn't ruled out accepting a trade if the Cardinals approach him with the possibility before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. As a veteran of at least 10 Major League seasons, including at least five with his current team, Isringhausen has the right to veto any deal. He said on Tuesday that the club has not approached him, but if it does, he will listen.

"We'll see," Isringhausen said. "I'm keeping my eyes and ears open. I'm not saying no. I'm not saying yes. I'm just seeing what's going on. They haven't come to me about anything. I've got enough to worry about right now. I'll worry about this, and then if they come to me, we'll go from there. That's all I can do."

The Cardinals hold a 2008 contract option on Isringhausen, worth $8 million. The club's buyout on the option is $1.25 million. The right-hander is enjoying an excellent season and would make an appealing trade chip to numerous teams in need of bullpen help. However, if the Cardinals believe that Isringhausen will remain at his 2007 level of effectiveness next year, then his option is fairly reasonably-priced.

Weekend rotation set: La Russa has set his rotation for the upcoming four-game series against the Brewers, which features a doubleheader on Saturday. Mike Maroth, who was listed as an available reliever on Tuesday, will start on Friday. Brad Thompson will start one of the games on Saturday, while it looks like Anthony Reyes will start the other game of the doubleheader.

Reyes was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on July 2 and has made three starts, not receiving a decision in any of the outings. His last two starts though, Reyes has given up just two runs in 12 innings.

"I think [Reyes] is the guy," La Russa said. "It makes the most sense."

Eck gets a day: Shortstop David Eckstein was out of the lineup for Tuesday's game. Eckstein, who was activated from the DL on July 13, doesn't have good numbers against Tuesday's starter, Carlos Zambrano. Eckstein is 3-for-19 lifetime against Zambrano

The shortstop is 3-for-11 in his last three games. La Russa said Eckstein was going to get one game off against the Cubs and it made the most sense to hold him out on Tuesday.

Switch-hitting Aaron Miles took Eckstein's spot at shortstop. All left-handed hitters were in the lineup on Tuesday against Zambrano.

Making progress: La Russa said that Tyler Johnson, Scott Spiezio and Todd Wellemeyer are all making strides from their respective injuries.

Johnson and Wellemeyer both stayed back in St. Louis during the Cards' 10-game road trip and Spiezio was sent home from Philadelphia. Johnson, who's recovering from a left biceps injury, has just started throwing and is doing the conditioning drills that were laid out for him.

Wellemeyer has begun playing catch and hopes to play long toss later in the week. The right-hander is suffering from a right elbow strain. He said the injury isn't painful, but if he pushes it hard, he feels discomfort after throwing.

Spiezio, who by far has the weirdest injury on the team, recovering from an infection in his left index finger, hopes to be back in the lineup on Sunday, when he's eligible to be activated from the DL. He began throwing on Tuesday and hopes to take batting practice this week.

First base safety: Before Tuesday's game, La Russa talked about Mike Coolbaugh, who passed away on Sunday after being struck by a line drive, coaching first base for a Minor League team.

Coolbaugh played for the Cards in 2002 for five games. Although his stint was short with the Cards, La Russa said everyone liked him personally.

The manager also talked about the dangers of coaching first base.

"The first-base coach is really the one that's in danger," La Russa said. "And Dave McKay is one of those guys who's just watching the first baseman. He's liable to get popped."

Road trip: Pitching coach Dave Duncan and son Chris both traveled to Kansas City on Monday night to watch Chris' older brother Shelley in action against the Royals. Shelley was called up by the Yankees last Friday and has made a favorable impression on his new teammates, slugging three homers in his first four games.

On Saturday, both Chris and Shelley homered. Shelley hit the first of his career against the Devil Rays and Chris went deep in Atlanta. Monday night, Shelley went 1-for-5 in the first game against the Royals.

Baby 'birds: Memphis beat Omaha, 3-1, on Monday. The Redbirds scored all their runs in the first inning. Randy Keisler got the win, going seven innings and allowing just one run on seven hits.... Double-A Springfield was postponed. ... Palm Beach beat Daytona, 6-2. Adam Ottavino picked up his eighth win of the season, tossing six innings and giving up two runs on seven hits. ... Class A Quad Cities lost to Lansing, 11-10, in 16 innings. Christian Lopez and Jared Schweitzer each homered. Jose Garcia took the loss. ... Rookie level Johnson City beat Elizabethton, 3-0. Brian Broderick got the win, going five innings and giving up two hits, while striking out two and not walking a hitter.

Coming up: The Cards and Cubs will continue their three game series on Wednesday. Adam Wainwright (9-7, 4.18 ERA) will take the mound for the Cards while the Cubs will counter with lefty Ted Lilly (10-4, 3.58). First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. CT.