In late May, when Adam Wainwright still was tooling around on a scooter as he rehabbed from an Achilles’ tendon tear, he found himself talking to _ or being lectured by _ a man at the Bob Costas’ benefit for Cardinal Glennon Hospital. The two-time 20-game victor could help in the bullpen during the playoffs.
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Molina, 33, missed 52 games last season with a ligament tear in his right thumb.
Manager Mike Matheny said yesterday that he was concerned about Molina’s injury, but he also told Goold today that it’s “not that definitive that [Molina’s] going to miss a lot of time”.
“I think it’s probably important that I get something in, proving to my manager and my players as well that I’m capable of getting big-league hitters out”, he said.
“The early messaging was that there wasn’t much of a chance we’d see him this year”.
Molina is slated to undergo additional tests on the thumb on Monday so the Cardinals can get a final assessment on the severity of Molina’s injury.
Molina, the Cardinals everyday catcher, injured the thumb while tagging the Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo, who was attempting to score on a fly ball.
Tony Cruz will take Molina’s place as the Cardinals wait to see his outcome.
Molina was batting.270 with four homers and 61 RBIs and is widely considered the best defensive catcher in the game.
The Cardinals added Travis Tartamella to the roster to give them depth behind the plate in Molina’s absence. First baseman Xavier Scruggs was designated for assignment. Grichuk entered with just nine at-bats in September and had not started since Sept. 9, when he had to flip throws to a fellow outfielder in a game against the Cubs. “It just shows you his commitment and desire to want to be on this club and contribute with this club”, Mozeliak said.
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Wainwright should throw a simulated game and a bullpen session before making his return. The team does not yet know if Molina will be able to return to catching before the regular season is up.
