Yadier Molina returns as Cardinals reveal their NLDS rotation

Mike Matheny announced the Cardinals’ 25-man roster for the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs after a Thursday afternoon workout at Busch Stadium.

The biggest involves All-Star catcher Yadier Molina, who has worn a brace protecting the strained ligament in his left thumb during practice in recent days.

Garcia went 10-6 with a 2.43 (161 ERA+) in 20 starts and 129 2/3 innings in 2015. Given the stacked September roster there were sure to be a few quality players left out once the team was forced to cut down to 25 players.

“It was hard”, Molina said about the playing time he missed. I never read that particular book that the Cardinals wrote regarding how to play baseball…. “He just doesn’t recognize it or knows how to define it. That’s part of the (catcher) position”. He’s a smart guy, too. The Cardinals went 11-8 against the Cubs this season, that includes a 7-3 record in St. Louis. And Yadi always has his eye on the field … he is so valuable to our club in so many ways, ways that you can’t put numbers on.

Matheny said Molina caught, blocked balls in the dirt and threw Tuesday, mostly in an indoor batting cage.

Left-hander Jaime Garcia will get the start in Game 2 and be followed by Michael Wacha in Game 3 and Lance Lynn in Game 4, if necessary.

“We could sit here for a long time talking about the decisions made on this roster, and you know, it wasn’t a lot of fun”, Matheny said.

Molina, 33, is no doubt a first ballot Hall of Fame candidate and is someone you can both despise and respect at the same time if that even makes a bit of sense.

Ace Adam Wainwright, who recovered more quickly than expected after tearing his left Achilles in late April, will be part of an 11-man bullpen after working three one-inning stints on the final regular-season trip. I think having him healthy and having him out there with us is a real key for us no matter what else is going on.