Report: Cardinals' Molina catches bullpen, ahead of schedule in return from thumb surgery
It appears as though St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is ahead of schedule in his recovery from thumb surgery.
Yadier Molina caught a bullpen today for first time since thumb surgery. #STLCards hopeful he's on a quicker-than-expected path to return.
— Jenifer Langosch (@LangoschMLB) August 14, 2014
The Cardinals are 13-14 since the six-time All-Star hit the disabled list and remain hopeful Molina can return by September to bolster their roster for a playoff run.
St. Louis enters play Thursday 2 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central, clinging to a wild-card spot with the San Francisco Giants lurking just a half-game back.
Molina was batting .287 with seven homers and 30 RBIs prior to his mid-July surgery, but his game-calling skills are what the Cardinals miss most.