SAN DIEGO • An injury that Matt Carpenter has been able to “manage” and even “mask” for much of the season inflamed to a point Monday that could keep him out of the lineup.

After striking out twice and hitting into a double play, Carpenter was lifted from the Cardinals’ 2-0 victory at Petco Park because of inflammation in his right shoulder, a “nagging” injury that he later said he’s been playing with throughout the season. He described the pain as “biting more” on Monday.

As the Cardinals consider Carpenter’s treatment and availability, they also promoted a reinforcement from the minors, middle infielder and utility player Breyvic Valera. He was hitting .314 for Class AAA Memphis, with eight home runs, 48 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .368 with a .450 slugging percentage this season.

“I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t bothered me for most of the year,” Carpenter said. “It’s been something I’ve been able to manage. It’s at a point where I don’t know if it’s wear and tear at the end of the season … It might not look good. That’s kind of where we’re at. I don’t think there is a move that is going to make it better or worse. It’s just going to need the offseason to get right.