Carpenter serves 1-game suspension in opener

ST. LOUIS -- First baseman Matt Carpenter served a one-game suspension during Tuesday's series opener with the Blue Jays as punishment from Major League Baseball for making contact with umpire John Tumpane during the Cardinals' win over the Brewers on Sunday.
Carpenter was ejected by Tumpane after arguing a pair of called strikes in the seventh inning. As the argument turned heated, the top of Carpenter's helmet scraped the bottom of Tumpane's hat. Any contact with an umpire automatically triggers a suspension. Carpenter will also pay a fine.
Understanding that the suspension would likely not be overturned, Carpenter chose not to appeal. With Carpenter unavailable Tuesday, the Cardinals opened the three-game series limited with a three-man bench.
Minor League medical updates
The Triple-A Memphis rotation will be getting a boost soon, as general manager John Mozeliak confirmed that starters Luke Weaver and Marco Gonzales are close to returning.
Weaver, the club's No. 3 prospect per MLBPipeline.com, exited his April 6 start due to lower-back stiffness. He threw batting practice at the Cardinals' Florida complex on Tuesday, and Mozeliak estimated that Weaver will be activated within the next week.

Gonzales, the club's No. 19 prospect, is "right behind him," Mozeliak added. It's been 12 months since Gonzales underwent Tommy John surgery, and he's progressed well enough that he'll likely be immediately assigned to Memphis.
A third injured starter, John Gant, is not as far along with his recovery from a right groin strain suffered during the final week of Spring Training. Mozeliak said that Gant, the club's No. 21 prospect, is likely to intensify his rehab work soon.
Magneuris Sierra, the organization's No. 7 prospect, passed the necessary concussion protocol and rejoined Class A Advanced Palm Beach on Tuesday.
Peralta on the mend
The Cardinals do not yet have a target date on which they expect to activate third baseman Jhonny Peralta from the disabled list, but rather are still waiting for medication Peralta took to treat an upper respiratory infection to clear his bloodstream. Mozeliak said that could take 10-14 days.
That medication sapped Peralta of energy and strength, and, as a result, he has still not been cleared for full baseball activities. He is eligible to return on May 1.

Worth noting
• Former Cardinals outfielder Willie McGee is spending part of this week in St. Louis to assist the Cardinals with outfield and baserunning instruction. McGee, a special assistant to Mozeliak, spends most of the season visiting the organization's Minor League affiliates, but the club requested he also visit the Major League team occasionally this year.
"He loves teaching, and I think he's more hesitant to do it here than when he goes and stops at our other spots," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "I just keep reminding him how many young players we have here, and how much work needs to be done. Other guys are asking for it. They want to get better at other things, so let's use a resource like Willie to help us."

• The Cardinals outrighted outfielder Anthony García off the 40-man roster on Tuesday. They did not immediately fill the open roster spot.
• The Cardinals announced plans to host a food drive in the Ballpark Village parking lot from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. CT on Sunday. Fans who donate a non-perishable item, or give money, will receive a voucher for two tickets to an upcoming Cardinals game.