By Chris Brown / STL Baseball Today | @cbrown_STLBBT | March 6, 2016, 11:50 pm CT
With his slowly increasing work behind the plate continuing to go smoothly as he works his way back from thumb surgery, Yadier Molina could reach two key benchmarks this week, manager Mike Matheny told reporters, including KMOV’s J.J. Bailey, on Sunday.
“You’ll see him grabbing a bat this week,” Matheny said. “This week, if everything continues to progress and he continues to take positive steps, we could potentially get him in (a game) just to catch.”
As MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch writes, with roughly four weeks remaining until Opening Day, the Cardinals remain “cautiously optimistic” that Molina will in their lineup for the season opener in Pittsburgh.
MARTINEZ NEARING FIRST START OF SPRING
Langosch also reports that right-hander Carlos Martinez threw a bullpen session on Saturday morning at is now expected to make his Spring Training debut some time this week.
The Cardinals anticipate the 24-year-old starter, who had a shoulder strain prematurely end his 2015 season, getting plenty of starts to be ready for Opening Day, but the club has the flexibility (due to scheduling) to allow him to stay behind in Florida for additional work when camp breaks if needed.
By Keith Allison / CC Image / No changes made
LEAKE TO MAKE REDBIRDS DEBUT WEDNESDAY
Matheny also announced prior to Sunday’s contest against the Nationals that starter Mike Leake — signed to a five-year, $80 contract this offseason — will make his Cardinals debut on Wednesday, when the redbirds host the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium.
In other rotation plans, Adam Wainwright will get the start for the Cards on Monday (vs NYM), followed by Michael Wacha on Tuesday (@MIN [Fort Myers]) and Leake on Wednesday, the manager announced. Jaime Garcia would be in line to get the nod for Thursday’s contest (vs NYM), before Martinez could potentially start on Friday.
PITCHERS ON THE MEND
- After being reassigned on Sunday, right-handers Tyler Waldron and Silfredo Garcia — two non-roster invitees slowed by shoulder soreness this spring — will continue their rehab programs in minor league camp, Langosch reports.
- Pitchers Mitch Harris (general muscle soreness) and Tim Cooney (shoulder soreness), who’ve both dealt with various arm soreness of their own this spring, are progressing well, Matheny told reporters Sunday. Harris is expected to appear in Grapefruit League action soon, while Cooney has resumed playing catch but is a little further behind in recovery.
