PITTSBURGH, Pa. - St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter will miss this weekend's series in Pittsburgh because of fatigue and an accelerated heart rate.

Manager Mike Matheny said Friday that Carpenter remained in St. Louis while the Cardinals travelled to play three games against the Pirates. Matheny said Carpenter had "extreme fatigue" and was also dealing with the heart rate issue.

Matheny said Carpenter would rejoin the team in Cleveland for the start of a series Tuesday night.

Matheny blamed Carpenter's condition on the grind of the season. St. Louis is nearing the end of a stretch of playing 20 games in 20 days. Carpenter, batting .333 for the NL Central leaders, had a scheduled day off on Thursday and did not immediately improve.

Pete Kozma started in Carpenter's place on Friday night against Pittsburgh.