St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina could be back by Friday

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Yadier Molina, the multiple Gold Glove catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, might be returning to his position behind the plate as early as this weekend.

Molina is scheduled to catch five innings today with the Springfield Cardinals (AA) of the Texas League. Should all go as scheduled, the All-Star catcher will be with the St. Louis Cardinals when they take on the Chicago Cubs in a series this weekend.

“My thumb feels great,” Molina told the Springfield News-Leader on Tuesday. “I’m in really good shape. I’m happy with the way everything is going. I can’t wait for tomorrow. I’m going to be nervous.”

With Michael Wacha also rehabbing in Springfield, the Cardinals front office had several personnel making the trip to Springfield: John Mozeliak, Gary LaRocque, Matt Slater, John Vuch and Moises Rodriguez.

Molina last played on July 9 against the Pittsburgh Pirates when he was injured on a slide. At the time, Molina was expected to miss eight to twelve weeks following surgery. This Friday will mark his seventh week.

With rosters expanding on Monday, a move would have to be made on the 25-man roster and it will probably be a pitcher taken off the roster rather than a position player.