St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is one step closer to getting healthy for the 2016 MLB season. Cards general manager John Mozeliak said over the weekend that Molina had the cast removed from his surgically-repaired thumb.
There were doubts that Molina would be ready for Opening Day after undergoing a second thumb surgery in December, but Mozeliak is seemingly optimistic about the catcher's chances at this point.
"That's what I want," he told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com when asked if Molina could be ready by Opening Day. "We'll have to wait and see."
Molina was sidelined for the final two weeks of the regular season after injuring his thumb for the second straight year and was then limited to eight at-bats during the NLDS series against the Chicago Cubs. He underwent the first thumb procedure in October, but it was soon discovered he needed to go under the knife again.
He's expected to miss most of spring training and the Cardinals braced for it by signing veteran catcher Brayan Pena earlier in the offseason. Still, the club hopes Molina can be back as soon as possible.
"The cast came off. Obviously now it's about gaining strength back," Mozeliak told KMOX Radio in St. Louis, who first reported the news of Molina's cast removal. "I really think in about two to three weeks we should have a pretty good idea if he's on pace to be ready to go at the beginning of the season or not. But I think we've just got to be patient. But right now all arrows point positively, and that's exciting."
Molina has won eight consecutive Gold Gloves and has been named to the NL All-Star team for seven straight seasons. His veteran presence in the Cardinals' lineup is one of the most important aspects of the club's identity.
Stay tuned for updates on Molina's health as spring training rapidly approaches.
