Carpenter pitched well enough to earn a promotion to high-A Clearwater for the 2007 season, and he did not disappoint. In 24 starts for the Threshers, Carpenter posted a 17–6 record and a 3.30 ERA, striking out 116 batters in 161 innings pitched.[1] In August, Carpenter pitched a seven-inning perfect game against the Fort Myers Miracle.[3]
After posting a 3–3 record and an even lower ERA of 2.98 at the beginning of 2008, the Phillies promoted him to Reading, where he struggled to a 2–7 record, allowing 83 hits and 46 earned runs in 59+2⁄3 innings.[1]
The Phillies called up Carpenter to the majors on August 27, 2008. At the time of his call-up, he had posted a 4–1 record with a 3.44 ERA in his prior five starts.[4] Carpenter made his Major League debut that night, pitching the ninth inning in relief against the New York Mets.[5]
The Phillies called him up for the second time on May 16, 2009, to make his first career Major League start.[6] Though Carpenter did not pitch the requisite five innings, he did earn his first major league win in a rain-shortened, six-inning game against Washington, pitching 4+1⁄3 innings and allowing 5 earned runs on 8 hits and 3 walks.[7]
The Phillies called up Carpenter for the third time on July 20, 2010, to replace Kyle Kendrick in the Phillies' starting rotation.[8]
He was in 11 total games for the Phillies over parts of four seasons, while spending most of his time in AAA with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. He had a 1–1 record and 8.53 ERA with the Phillies.
San Diego Padres
On September 2, 2011, Carpenter was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres.[9] He pitched in 6 games for the Padres with an 8.44 ERA.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays claimed him off waivers on November 18, 2011. The Blue Jays planned to designate Carpenter for assignment on July 21, 2012; however, Jason Frasor was placed on the DL instead. Carpenter was designated for assignment on August 4.[10]
On August 6, Carpenter was outrighted to the Las Vegas 51s. Carpenter refused the assignment and became a free agent on August 7.
New York Mets
Carpenter was signed to a minor league contract by the New York Mets on August 10, 2012, and assigned to their Double-A affiliate Binghamton Mets.[11] He was used as a relief pitcher, and appeared in five games for Binghamton, and five for the Mets' Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs signed Carpenter to a minor league contract with a major league spring training invitation on December 7, 2012.[12] He started the 2013 season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed Carpenter to a minor league contract on July 9, 2013, after being released by the Rockies on June 29.[14] The Angels assigned him to the Double-A Arkansas Travelers. Carpenter was released on August 2.
He signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December, 2013. He was assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes, where he appeared in 16 games (with 6 starts) and was 3–1 with a 7.74 ERA.
Carpenter throws a fastball between 88 and 92 miles per hour (148 km/h). His repertoire includes a pair of breaking pitches: a slider, widely considered a strong pitch, and a split-finger fastball, which has developed into his "out" pitch. He also throws a changeup, new to his repertoire since turning pro.[3]
