Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has partially torn thumb ligament
“It depends on the next five to seven days”.
The Cardinals said Monday that Molina would be re-evaluated in five to seven days, perhaps by this weekend, to determine how well the thumb is healing.
Molina was hurt while tagging the Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo attempting to score the tying run on a fly ball on Sunday. “But I didn’t want to see him with a bat in his hand”. Still, they’re in the postseason – one of the 10 who get to play for the trophy – and with each passing day their four-game lead on Pittsburgh gets closer to clinching the division title. Wily Peralta draws the series opening start against the postseason hopeful Cubs. “We have to wait”.
Molina will have the injury re-examined Saturday, and the club hopes he can return before season’s end, but how effective will he be offensively if he can come back?
“I would, but he won’t”, Mozeliak said through a small grin. “It feels better than (Monday)”. Kang underwent surgery Thursday night and is expected to be out six to eight months. “I’m just happy he’s willing to review my status”. Manager Mike Matheny’s postgame comments didn’t help much either.
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak is “cautiously optimistic” Molina will be back before the playoffs.
“I don’t know if that’s the right word”, Rose, 74, said Friday in a brief interview between appearances on the campus of Miami University in southwest Ohio. This is the time when he normally shines, too.
In 136 games this season, Molina is batting.270 with a.310 on base percentage, a.350 slugging percentage, 23 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 61 RBIs.
The Cardinals added Travis Tartamella to the roster to give them depth behind the plate in Molina’s absence.
“You look at the options we have from a pinch hitting standpoint, the critical part is making sure we have defensive backup”, Mozeliak said.
“You might try to get him in a little bit more often if he’s throwing that good”.
Tony Cruz, who threw out a runner trying to steal in the ninth inning on Sunday after entering the game, will be the regular catcher now. Rosenthal then easily retired the next two hitters.
Injury will keep Cardinals’ Yadier Molina out for the balance of this week-long home stand.