The Cardinals announced today that catcher Yadier Molina is headed to the 10-day injured list with a thumb tendon strain. He’ll be replaced on the active roster by Andrew Knizner.
It’s not clear as of yet how long Molina will be down. He’s only slashing .265/.294/.397 at the plate, but remains a highly graded pitch framer and unquestioned veteran leader. Going without Molina even for a short stretch could hurt the already scuffling Cards.
This move opens the door for increased action for Matt Wieters, who has turned in good offensive results thus far in limited opportunities. Backing up Molina generally doesn’t make for much playing time. Now, he’ll have at least a bit of a window to expand his case for a larger chance when he reenters the free agent market next year.
That’s not to say that the St. Louis club will just turn over the position to Wieters. This is also a nice chance for the club to give some looks to Knizner, who’s an increasingly interesting prospect and potential long-term replacement for Molina.
A former seventh-round pick out of N.C. State, Knizner has turned in consistently strong offensive numbers on his march through the Cardinals farm system. This year, he’s slashing a healthy .286/.355/.450 with five home runs in 155 plate appearances.
It seems likely the Cards will continue to lean on Molina and Wieters for the duration of the present season once the former is back in action. But Knizner could force his way into the club’s 2020 plans, perhaps serving as Molina’s understudy before taking over the primary backstop role as soon as 2021.
Most overrated catcher in the mlb. Almost all cardinal fans think he’s the best fielding catcher right now and it’s not true. He’s not the player he used to be. He’s not the best catcher in the mlb.
Does he owe you money or something?
Probably a philly’s fan, no one can be viewed favorably except Realmuto
way to single us out for no reason. if anything, we dislike Weiters. guy cant homer off anyone but us for some reason.
Is Molina as good a defensive catcher as he was 10 years ago, no. Is he still one of the best in Baseball, yes. Nobody runs on him, and nobody handles a pitching staff better. He still has the soft hands, allowing him to be such a great framer. Knizner can hit but he is no wizard behind the dish. Should get a chance against the Cubs’ lefties.
And another year of a $20
million dollar salary!
He’ll be a first ballot hall of famer son.
Yadi going first ballot and Varitek not getting 1% makes complete and total sense to me, but its likely that will be the case.
That’ll be atrocious if he does. He’s borderline HOF, not even close to first ballot.
He’d be one of the worst hitters in the HOF if he makes it, and unfortunately it’s not only Cardinals fans voting…
Baseball Reference’s Hall of Fame indices suggest that he is indeed a marginal HoFer
There’s other reasons why he’s going to be a first ballot Hall of famer
Lol… Did he tool your old lady or mom?
Overrated? He’s been a 2.5-3WAR catcher into his mid to late 30s. That never happens at the position. I wasn’t in favor of the extension, but to claim he’s not still good is just inaccurate.
-1.0 DRS is pretty bad. Not a great catcher anymore. Overrated
-1 DRS is average, not good or bad.
Learn to interpret stats before using them.
Unless you just mean he’s not great, but in context to other catchers he’s essentially at the median.
Dixon Miaz…you literally just told everyone that you don’t have a clue about baseball
Anyone else not getting alerts from the app?
I haven’t been since I got my new phone and I have alerts on and everything.
This is actually good news, whether Cards fans want to admit it or not. Molina is a shell of himself. I for one am tired of all the hype he gets like it’s still 2014.
and Wieters is better?
Doubt Nick is saying that. I’m sure many feel the $20-mil to Molina is anoverpay and a salary that is more suitable for other needs on the team. However, Molina has meant so much to the organization and that is something to remember.
Then again, Cards did throw a big extension to Carpenter and probably wish they could take back the Cecil signing. And Dexter Fowler.
not defending the point made above, but Weiters has hit near .400 in limited opportunities this season. not earth-shattering, but not garbage at all. still, id take Yadi over him.
Just as the Cubs come into town. What a coincidence.
He hasn’t played the last 2 games so not really a coincidence.
What are you trying to say?
He usually kills the Cubs
Molina brings alot of intangibles to the Cardinals. Yeah hes a shell of himself offensively but you can thank him for being a mentor to young pitchers. Hes essentially a pitching coach out there on the field.
tHe bEsT cAtChEr iN tHe LeAgUe iS hUrT
Your keyboard has problems shmeag!
Get well soon
Is this sarcasm? Hard to tell based on your name
He strained his thumb after getting it stuck to his chest protector.
Idiot comments from stupid cub fans.
And here’s another one (which is actually not an idiot comment as there is a bunch of truth to it)—-enjoy looking up at the Cubs again all summer again this year. Heck, enjoy looking up at the Brewers, Pirates and Reds also.
Hey mik127 enjoy looking at this at the end of the season and realizing that you truly are an idiot just one who is in denial. 162 games son, or in your case 163 and you lost it. Your pitching staff won’t hold up nor your bullpen. We have some more arms coming too! Be wary of making idiotic comments and assumptions when only 30% of the season has played. Especially since right now I’m also rooting for the St. Louis Blues who play a shorter amount of games and were in last place in January and are in the Stanley Cup Final. Also the Cardinals are a team that was playing really good ball before this funk. Your funk has yet to come. Stupid cubs, that’s what’s BORING!!!!
11 is a long way up from 3
Yeah what happened tonight bozo? Get use to it son.
Speaking of the pot calling the kettle black.
Maybe he hurt it celebrating on the field with Javy Baez?
Or just during one of his psychotic meltdowns when he doesn’t like a call…
Going solely on stats since I’ve never seen him play, it seems Knizner should be a decent call-up. He seems like a decent hitter and his defensive SB-CS stats are very impressive.
Would be neat if article said what level of minors he was playing at.
The very fact that catchers are graded on pitch framing indicates the need for computerized or ‘robot ‘ umpires.
Anyone on this post saying Molina is not a great catcher proves you know nothing about baseball…thanks and come again