New Hampshire native Chris Carpenter’s shoulder surgery was expected to end his season, but now not only is there a strong possibility that he will return to the St. Louis Cardinals sometime this season, he might come back as a starting pitcher, MLB.com reported.

Carpenter threw live batting practice on Friday for the first time since undergoing thoracic outlet surgery on his shoulder July 19.

He will throw another live batting practice session on today.

The Cardinals want Carpenter to be able to throw about 90 pitches in a simulated game before feeling comfortable having him pitch as a starter in a game.

“Given the guys we have now in our bullpen, you can see some sort of piggyback scenario if it worked out that way,” general manager John Mozeliak said, according to MLB.com. “He has to build up his pitch count. Given the fact he hasn’t been able to throw much prior to surgery, he does feel good. It looks like he’s on track to contribute. We’re hopeful that’s what happens.”

Recently, Carpenter’s plans changed from preparing himself for 2013 to trying to recover in time to pitch in 2012.

At the time of the surgery, recovery time was estimated at three to four months.

“When you look at how Carp was throwing, it was screaming that this deserved an opportunity for consideration,” Mozeliak said. “It was really what he was doing [that] allowed us to sort of rethink it.”

Carpenter has not pitched for the Cardinals at all this season.