Chris Carpenter threw a 90-pitch simulated game before about 20 teammates and staff on Saturday and the Cardinals could add him to the active roster this week.

The session puts Carpenter in line to inherit Joe Kelly's spot in the rotation next Thursday at Busch Stadium against the Astros.

Saturday represented the fourth time Carpenter has thrown to hitters since returning from July 19 surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome.

St. Louis is 11 games back of Cincinnati in the NL Central, but they are tied with the Dodgers for the second Wild Card berth.