Report: Cardinals' Yadier Molina won’t be back with team in August

Though St. Louis Cardinals' catcher Yadier Molina, who has been out since July 9 with a torn ligament in his right thumb, is making progress in his recovery, he still will not return to the team until at least September, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Molina was injured while sliding into third base. The catcher was initially projected to miss eight to 12 weeks.

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

“What we’re hearing is good,” said manager Mike Matheny. “There’s not a lot going on. It’s just healing time.”

The Cardinals initially used the platoon of Tony Cruz and George Kottaras at catcher to fill in for Molina, but the teamsigned veteran A.J. Pierzynski on July 26. In six games for St. Louis, Pierzynski has an OPS of just .622.

This season, Molina is batting .287 with seven home runs and 30 RBIs in 83 games for the Cardinals.

Entering Monday, St. Louis is 59-51, one game back of the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers. The Cardinals are currently in position for the second NL wild card spot.

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- Sarah Barshop