By Chris Brown / STL Baseball Today
Wearing a new splint on his catching hand, Yadier Molina hit, blocked balls, caught, and threw during a workout at Busch Stadium on Tuesday.
Matheny said he is “much more optimistic” that Molina, who’s been sidelined since September 20 due to a thumb sprain, will be on the team’s roster for the Divisional Series.
“With what he was able to do yesterday, some of the things he’s been able to do with the medical team, stabilizing the thumb. He came in yesterday and had a good workout,” Matheny told the Post-Dispatch. “All those things point in the direction that it’s possible. But, today will be another good test.”
Later Tuesday afternoon, on MLB Network Radio, the Cards’ skipper said the team will evaluate Molina on Wednesday and that there is the possibility he could be in the starting lineup for Game 1 in St. Louis on Friday night.
INJURY UPDATES: WAINWRIGHT, GRICHUK, PISCOTTY, ADAMS
In that same radio appearance, Matheny confirmed that Adam Wainwright will be on the team’s postseason roster after he “passed every test” he needed to.
“My arm is ready. I don’t need any more seasoning,” Wainwright told Ben Frederickson of the Post-Dispatch. The 34-year-old has made three relief appearances (allowing just one run) since returning from what was believed to be a season-ending Achilles injury.
Prior to the team’s workout Wednesday afternoon, Randal Grichuk (elbow strain) threw from 200 feet, with his manager saying afterwards that the outfielder is “real close.” Grichuk is not likely to play center in the NLDS, though Jason Heyward is an option to handle to position.
Additionally, Matheny revealed that both Stephen Piscotty and Matt Adams are free of any medical restrictions.
OTHER STARTERS, ROSTER ANNOUNCEMENT
Matheny wasn’t yet ready Wednesday afternoon to announce the starters that will follow John Lackey, who will get the nod for the redbirds on Friday night in St. Louis.
[Related: Lackey gets the call for NLDS Game 1 at Busch against Cubs]
“Why should I? I know it’s a hot topic, and I get it… I think everybody who follows the team closely realizes there are a lot of decisions that need to be made there. We haven’t taken it lightly. We’ve spent a lot of hours trying to figure out what is going to be best for this club. But it’s something we don’t have to really put on paper until Friday.”
The team’s postseason roster is also not official, but Matheny predicted that it could be announced by Thursday’s afternoon workout.
More recent news: Cubs blank Pirates in Wild Card Game, set to face Cards in postseason for first time
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Feature image used under Creative Commons by Barbara Moore. No changes made. Image license.
Final image via the St. Louis Cardinals on Twitter.
