Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (thumb) to undergo surgery

Molina is expected to be ready for Spring Training.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina will undergo left thumb surgery on Thursday and will be without baseball activity for 8–12 weeks, the team announced Thursday.

Molina is expected to make a full recovery in time for Spring Training in 2016. 

Molina sustained a thumb sprain against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 20, as Anthony Rizzo slid into home. Molina tagged Rizzo out, but paid the price when the first baseman clipped his thumb. Molina rested for the remainder of the regular season before returning for the postseason. 

Molina was behind the plate for Games 1 and 2 of the National League Division Series. He exited Game 3 after re-aggravating his thumb on a swing.

Molina hit .270 with four home runs in 136 games for the Cardinals in 2015. 

He remains locked up with the Cardinals through 2017, and is expected to earn $14 million in both 2016 and ’17. Molina’s contract also includes a $15 million mutual option for 2018.

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- Christopher Chavez