Molina Returns to St. Louis’ Active Roster

photo: Yadier Molina (Jeff Curry/Imagn)

St. Louis Cardinals press release

Yadier Molina (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)

The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to tonight’s (Tuesday, June 11) game, that they have activated catcher Yadier Molina from the 10-day injured list and optioned rookie catcher Andrew Knizner to Memphis (AAA).

Molina missed 11 games after being sidelined on May 29 due to a right thumb tendon strain.

At the time he was placed on the Injured List, Molina was leading all Major League catchers in games played (50), innings caught (416.2), RBI (33), hits (50), doubles (13) and stolen bases (4).

Molina, 36, collected his 1,900th career hit on May 25, ranking 8th all-time among Cardinals.   For the season, Molina is batting .265 with 4 HR’s and 33 RBI which rank 2nd on the team.

Knizner, who is one of five Cardinals to have made their Major League debut this season, appeared in two games following his call-up.


Andrew Knizner (Steve Mitchell/Imagn)

Brian Walton’s take

This is good news for the Cardinals. Matt Wieters had been slumping and can return to his reserve role. Knizner will have to wait for his first MLB hit, but it will surely come.

A series of moves will be required in the minor league system from Knizner’s return to Memphis, but they have not been disclosed as of yet. The Triple-A Redbirds have Tuesday off, so the full extent may not be clear until Wednesday. A likely move is the return of catcher Jose Godoy to Springfield from Memphis.


For more

To track the Cardinals’ 25- and 40-man rosters as well as all players in the system by position and level, check out the Roster Matrix, always free and updated here at The Cardinal Nation. Also included is every player transaction across the full organization all year long.


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