Cardinals' Matt Carpenter misses Chicago Cubs game

ST. LOUIS -- All-Star third baseman Matt Carpenter left the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday to attend the birth of his first child, and the club isn't certain when Carpenter will return.

Carpenter called the team at about 5 a.m. Wednesday to say his wife, Mackenzie, had gone into labor. The couple has been expecting a daughter. Manager Mike Matheny said the team hasn't determined whether Carpenter will go on the three-day paternity list and miss part of a weekend series in Washington.

"For those of us who have been through it, that first time is pretty stressful, not knowing what to expect," Matheny said. "This is a big deal, and we want him to be there. I know they have a lot of family coming in, but that's not always helpful. That can actually be more on your plate. There's a lot going on for him right now. We're just excited for him and hopeful everything goes well."

Carpenter may one day thank his daughter for sparing him from having to face Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, a college teammate who has held Carpenter hitless in 16 regular-season at-bats. Matheny said Carpenter would have been in the lineup had his wife not gone into labor. Kolten Wong was in Carpenter's leadoff spot for the Cardinals Wednesday and Ruben Tejada was playing third base.

If Carpenter goes on paternity leave, Matheny said his roster spot will not go to shortstop Jhonny Peralta, who is on a rehab assignment and working his way back from thumb surgery. Matheny said Peralta needs more games to get into shape after missing two months.