JUPITER, Fla. -- Yadier Molina’s already-delayed debut for his 19th and final Spring Training with the Cardinals will come a day later than expected.
Molina, who missed the first week of Spring Training while dealing with a personal matter in Puerto Rico, was scheduled to catch and hit in his first spring game on Sunday in Port St. Lucie against the New York Mets. However, after waking up with a tinge of soreness following Friday’s intrasquad scrimmage, Molina’s spring debut was pushed back to Monday against the Astros at Roger Dean Stadium. Molina caught four innings and went 0-for-4 on Friday while competing against teammates in a controlled environment.
Molina also took batting practice with the Cards prior to Saturday’s game against the Miami Marlins, and he was scheduled to get in more hitting work in the club's Minor League game later in the day.
“Yadi is going to take more at-bats on the back field [on Saturday] and he wants to get his legs under him one more day,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “Then, he’ll play the following day [on Monday]. He’s fine. After yesterday and waking up, he wants to get his legs under him and more at-bats and have one more day. Then, hopefully [he’ll play on Monday].”
Pushing Molina’s debut back means he will catch St. Louis ace and close friend Adam Wainwright on Monday. Wainwright, 40, and Molina, 39, have been the star battery for the Cardinals in 304 regular-season games, good for the fourth-most in MLB history. The pairing is hoping to make at least 21 starts together this season to pass Detroit’s former battery of Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan for the MLB record at 324.
“On the main stage,” Marmol said, referencing that Molina’s spring debut with Wainwright will come at Roger Dean Stadium and against Astros star pitcher Justin Verlander.
Molina, a two-time World Series champ and a nine-time Gold Glove winner, is the longest-tenured player in Major League Baseball. His 19th season in St. Louis will secure him the record among catchers for longevity with one franchise. Marmol said he has no concerns that Molina will be ready for the April 7 Opening Day match against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“It’s not out of the norm, and there’s nothing hurting him in any way,” said Marmol, who noted that the veteran catcher will use Sunday as a work day instead of traveling to Port St. Lucie. “He just wants to see a couple more pitches and get his legs under him. Playing at home on Monday probably makes more sense for him.”