ST. LOUIS — Chris Carpenter, one of the best clutch pitchers in the storied history of the St. Louis Cardinals, may have thrown his final pitch.

General manager John Mozeliak and manager Mike Matheny announced Tuesday that Carpenter almost certainly won’t pitch in 2013 and that his star-crossed career is probably over after a recurrence of a nerve injury that cost him most of last season. Carpenter did not attend, and Mozeliak said the emotions for the 37-year-old still too raw.

Retirement isn’t official yet. Carpenter plans to seek further medical evaluation. But Mozeliak seemed resigned to losing him.

“He’s leaving the door slightly open, but it’s unlikely,” Mozeliak said of Carpenter’s return.