St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina likely headed to the DL
By Danielle
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is likely headed to the Disabled List.
Jul 12, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina at bat against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Image Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Molina is the one player on the club that the Cardinals absolutely could not afford to lose. Molina is not just one of the best defensive catchers in the game. What he does behind the plate was shown during the games missed in Spring Training due to his playing in the World Baseball Classic. What Molina does is help make pitchers better in the same way that a football quarterback like Peyton Manning makes other players better. In this regard, Molina is the team’s Most Valuable Player and his missing games will show.
Derrick Goold reported late last night following the game that Molina, himself, said that he needs to rest his knee.
"“I tried to play through it, but it was getting worse,” Molina said. “The smart thing to do is to give my knee some time to rest. I did whatever I could to be on the field, but right now I need time.”"
With Molina out, will the Cards be prompted to trade for another catcher even if it is just a two month rental player? The Cardinals are carrying both Tony Cruz and Rob Johnson. Unlike other positions, a catcher must be 100% healthy to face the daily grind.
The latest report from Goold mentions not only is Molina headed to the DL but also catchers that could possibly be traded to the Cardinals today: Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz, Chicago Cubs catcher Dioner Navarro, and free agent Miguel Olivo, formerly of the Miami Marlins.
In other trade deadline news, former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman and outfielder Lance Berkman is considering retiring from playing baseball according to a tweet from Ken Rosenthal. While a longtime member of the Houston Astros, Berkman revitalized his career in 2011 as the Cardinals won the World Series. During the 2012 season, the second year on his contract, Berkman struggled to stay healthy.