Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter is set to return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a couple of weeks.

Carpenter left his March 1 spring debut in the third inning with a left hamstring strain. He’s scheduled to make his second spring start today against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla.

Barring another setback, manager Tony La Russa anticipated the right-hander would have no problem elevating his pitch count in time to start on opening day. Carpenter would get two more spring starts before the March 31 opener against the Padres at home.

In other Cardinals news, Ian Snell, 29, decided to retire after the team optioned him to the minors.

D’BACKS — Ian Kennedy was picked by manager Kirk Gibson to start on opening day against Colorado on April 1. The former Yankees right-hander went 9-10 with a 3.80 ERA last season.

RED SOX — Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched five shutout innings in a 2-1, 10-inning win over Detroit.