St. Louis Cardinals: Yadier Molina will miss significant time after having surgery
St. Louis Cardinals All-Star catcher Yadier Molina will miss at least one month, after a fluke injury against the Chicago Cubs late in Saturday afternoon’s game.
The St. Louis Cardinals had much to celebrate after Saturday’s dramatic 8-6 walk-off win against the hated Chicago Cubs — taking over first place in the National League Central. Believe it or not but the St. Louis Cardinals trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by just 1.5 games for the best record in the entire National League.
The St.Louis Cardinals well continue their hot-streak without All-Star and all-everything catcher Yadier Molina, who was injured in the 9th inning, after Kris Bryant fouled Jordan Hicks 102 MPH fastball right in the groin.
Ouch.
Yadier Molina has exited the game. pic.twitter.com/ryrFmDc60p
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) May 5, 2018
More than a painful moment, the injury required surgery (which he’s already undergone) — Yadier Molina confirmed to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch this morning. According to Yadi, he’s expecting to miss at least a month, which means that Carson Kelly will undoubtedly have time to shine.
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“Ironically,” Carson Kelly was scratched from Saturday’s start with the Memphis Redbirds and could be on his way to St. Louis, possibly starting for the St. Louis Cardinals tonight under the bright lights of ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, in the series finale against the Chicago Cubs.
Thankfully for the St. Louis Cardinals, Carson Kelly does have MLB experience, and the only reason he’s still in playing in Triple-A Memphis is that Yadier Molina stands in his way.
Looking at his stats on the surface, there may be cause for concern, with Carson Kelly only slashing .171/ .236 /.220 in his two combined stints in MLB. However, it’s just a small sample size, with Carson Kelly only logging 89 plate appearances total.
He’s off to a slow start at the plate in Memphis, batting just .234, but no better way to get hot by the St. Louis Cardinals throwing him straight into the fire.
It’s unfortunate for Yadier Molina, who is off to a hot start of his own, slashing .272..292/ .456 with six home runs and stellar defense behind the plate. Carson Kelly is by far the best option to replace Yadier Molina in the interim (and future).
Next: What 3,000 hits would have meant for Pujols in St. Louis
For the time being, the future is now for Carson Kelly. Once again, the St. Louis Cardinals are embracing the next man up mentality. They find ways to win, no matter what (what, what).