Cardinals hope Yadier Molina (thumb sprain) will return in regular season
Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has a sprained left thumb but the team is hopefully he will be able to return before the end of the regular season, general manager John Mozeliak told reporters Monday.
Molina was injured in the bottom of the eighth inning of Sunday’s game against Cubs while making a tag at the plate. Addison Russell hit a fly ball to Jason Heyward in rightfield and Anthony Rizzo attempted to score from third.
Molina tagged Rizzo on the foot and immediately began shaking his hand. He was tended to by the training staff and remained behind the plate for the rest of the inning.
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Matt Adams replaced Molina as a pinch hitter when his spot in the lineup came up in the next inning. Tony Cruz caught the bottom of the ninth.
Molina, 33, has been the Cardinals’ starting catcher since 2005 and has been selected to seven consecutive All-Star teams. He is known primarily for his defensive ability and is batting .270 with a .660 OPS this season.
- Dan Gartland
