As Andrew Knizner waits for his opportunities to come this season, he¡¯s had to continue the visualization training that was put in full swing this past offseason. Playing behind an organizational and positional stalwart, his chances will come infrequently and in bursts.

So it¡¯s the work away from the playing field -- continually staying mentally ready and in playing shape -- that paid dividends in his recent crack at the Cardinals¡¯ starting lineup.

¡°I'm kind of going by the motto, ¡®If you stay ready, you never have to get ready,¡¯¡± Knizner said recently. ¡°This whole year, I've been prepared every single day, and I think that has allowed me to kind of just roll into these starts and just keep it rolling. I'm just being prepared for whatever this team needs, and that's what I'm going to do for 162.¡±

Yadier Molina (right foot) returned for Monday¡¯s series opener against the Phillies. The veteran will continue to be in the starting lineup so long as he¡¯s healthy, or whenever the club decides he needs a rare off-day.

Until any of those come up again, the Cardinals can rest easy knowing his backup in Knizner is more than capable to step up when needed. Though it¡¯s seldom been in doubt, the weekend sweep of the Reds was just further affirmation.

¡°I appreciate that he follows the game plans we have, and I also appreciate that he makes adjustments during the game, which has been a nice sign of growth for Kizz,¡± manager Mike Shildt said.

There were adjustments needed when Knizner was first called upon in an emergency situation. Molina exited Friday¡¯s 5-4 win after an awkward at-bat in the fifth inning (though Shildt clarified on Monday that he tweaked his foot while legging out a double in the third). In came Knizner, staked to a five-run lead but needing to navigate six pitchers through the final four innings.

In the ninth, bad luck and poor control, first with Jordan Hicks and then with Alex Reyes on the mound, brought the winning run to the plate for two consecutive at-bats. Knizner and Reyes hunkered down, striking out those last two batters in succession to escape. Reyes followed with a loud roar in the Cardinals¡¯ most edge-of-the-seat win of the season.

¡°The ninth was a little hairy,¡± Shildt said with a laugh on Saturday morning. ¡°Something that Kizz worked with the guys, and blocked a couple balls that were tough. [He] did his part. A good experience for him.¡±

The offense has been there in tandem, capably serving behind Molina¡¯s remarkable offensive start to the season. Knizner has a hit in each of his four starts this year, including a huge insurance RBI double off the wall in left-center on Saturday. A few feet higher and Knizner would've had his first home run of the season.

¡°I have to get with our strength coach and hit the weight room a little bit harder tomorrow,¡± Knizner joked.

One day, there will be a change of the guard in St. Louis. Molina -- as well as Adam Wainwright -- have said that they'll play so long as they feel healthy enough to do so. Molina re-signed a one-year deal, and he is planning to reassess in the offseason.

Whenever the passing of the torch comes, Knizner has done plenty to supply confidence for a continuation of catching prowess.

Mikolas trending up
Miles Mikolas (right shoulder discomfort) threw a two-inning simulated game at the alternate training site on Sunday, walking one and notching a few punchouts, Shildt said. The manager wasn¡¯t sure whether Mikolas had worked any breaking balls into his repertoire quite yet, which would be a step forward to test his shoulder (and surgically repaired right forearm from last season) with more torque-inducing pitches.

Mikolas is in line for a three-inning simulated game his next time out, facing a hoped-for return to the Majors by late May.

¡°His command¡¯s been pretty noticeable,¡± Shildt said. ¡°He¡¯s throwing the ball mostly where he wants it.¡±