Let's not sugar coat it, the St. Louis Cardinals are in trouble after catcher Yadier Molina left the second game of a double-header on Tuesday evening against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Molina was removed from the game due to an ailing knee and was placed on the disabled list.
The Cardinals have already lost six straight games and that was with Molina in the lineup and behind the plate. Molina wasn't 100 percent and it was noticeable in the fourth inning as he allowed a ball to get under him and into the backstop. Molina is the best defensive catcher and wild pitches/passed balls simply don't happen when he's behind the plate.
Molina's right knee is sprained and he is now on his way to St. Louis where he will be evaluated. As Jennifer Langosch of MLB.com reports, Molina had been feeling discomfort since June. "I tried to play through it, but it's getting worse. The smart thing is to take time off and try to fix it. I've been playing through that since June. Like anybody else, I am one of the guys who wants to be on the field playing, but right now, I need time," said Molina after Wednesday's second loss.
This is a crucial time for Molina and the Cardinals. Though personal accomplishments mean squat for Molina, he is in the middle of a batting title. The injury could help him regain the lead as the Atlanta Braves' Chris Johnson is in the lead with a .341 batting average. The Colorado Rockies' Michael Cuddyer is in second, one hundredth of a point ahead of Molina's third place with .330 batting average.
As mentioned above, the Cardinals have lost six straight games. They were swept by the Atlanta Braves over the weekend and now the Pirates are putting a hurting on the Cards and have taken control of the N.L. Central, taking a 1.5 lead in the standings.
Tony Cruz and Rob Johnson will take over the catching duties for the Cardinals, as reported by Langosch. Cruz is 26 and has played 117 career games in the majors, while Johnson is a seven year veteran playing in his fourth organization.
