Headlines

  • Red Sox To Promote Roman Anthony
  • Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.
  • Braves Designate Craig Kimbrel For Assignment
  • Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Braves Select Craig Kimbrel
  • Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Cardinals Place Yadier Molina On 10-Day IL, Promote Andrew Knizner

By Jeff Todd | May 31, 2019 at 3:13pm CDT

The Cardinals announced today that catcher Yadier Molina is headed to the 10-day injured list with a thumb tendon strain. He’ll be replaced on the active roster by Andrew Knizner.

It’s not clear as of yet how long Molina will be down. He’s only slashing .265/.294/.397 at the plate, but remains a highly graded pitch framer and unquestioned veteran leader. Going without Molina even for a short stretch could hurt the already scuffling Cards.

This move opens the door for increased action for Matt Wieters, who has turned in good offensive results thus far in limited opportunities. Backing up Molina generally doesn’t make for much playing time. Now, he’ll have at least a bit of a window to expand his case for a larger chance when he reenters the free agent market next year.

That’s not to say that the St. Louis club will just turn over the position to Wieters. This is also a nice chance for the club to give some looks to Knizner, who’s an increasingly interesting prospect and potential long-term replacement for Molina.

A former seventh-round pick out of N.C. State, Knizner has turned in consistently strong offensive numbers on his march through the Cardinals farm system. This year, he’s slashing a healthy .286/.355/.450 with five home runs in 155 plate appearances.

It seems likely the Cards will continue to lean on Molina and Wieters for the duration of the present season once the former is back in action. But Knizner could force his way into the club’s 2020 plans, perhaps serving as Molina’s understudy before taking over the primary backstop role as soon as 2021.

Share 0 Retweet 2 Send via email0

St. Louis Cardinals Yadier Molina

Rangers Select David Carpenter
Main
Rockies Option Kyle Freeland
View Comments (46)
Post a Comment

46 Comments

  1. Dixon Miaz

    6 years ago

    Most overrated catcher in the mlb. Almost all cardinal fans think he’s the best fielding catcher right now and it’s not true. He’s not the player he used to be. He’s not the best catcher in the mlb.

    1
    Reply
    • andyg37

      6 years ago

      Does he owe you money or something?

      2
      Reply
      • bhskins05

        6 years ago

        Probably a philly’s fan, no one can be viewed favorably except Realmuto

        1
        Reply
        • DarkSide830

          6 years ago

          way to single us out for no reason. if anything, we dislike Weiters. guy cant homer off anyone but us for some reason.

          Reply
    • spudchukar

      6 years ago

      Is Molina as good a defensive catcher as he was 10 years ago, no. Is he still one of the best in Baseball, yes. Nobody runs on him, and nobody handles a pitching staff better. He still has the soft hands, allowing him to be such a great framer. Knizner can hit but he is no wizard behind the dish. Should get a chance against the Cubs’ lefties.

      1
      Reply
      • jorge78

        6 years ago

        And another year of a $20
        million dollar salary!

        Reply
    • themed

      6 years ago

      He’ll be a first ballot hall of famer son.

      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        6 years ago

        Yadi going first ballot and Varitek not getting 1% makes complete and total sense to me, but its likely that will be the case.

        Reply
      • jdgoat

        6 years ago

        That’ll be atrocious if he does. He’s borderline HOF, not even close to first ballot.

        4
        Reply
      • petrie000

        6 years ago

        He’d be one of the worst hitters in the HOF if he makes it, and unfortunately it’s not only Cardinals fans voting…

        4
        Reply
      • bronyaur

        6 years ago

        Baseball Reference’s Hall of Fame indices suggest that he is indeed a marginal HoFer

        1
        Reply
    • Ironman_4life

      6 years ago

      There’s other reasons why he’s going to be a first ballot Hall of famer

      Reply
    • nyy42

      6 years ago

      Lol… Did he tool your old lady or mom?

      Reply
    • hollidayfever

      6 years ago

      Overrated? He’s been a 2.5-3WAR catcher into his mid to late 30s. That never happens at the position. I wasn’t in favor of the extension, but to claim he’s not still good is just inaccurate.

      Reply
      • Dixon Miaz

        6 years ago

        -1.0 DRS is pretty bad. Not a great catcher anymore. Overrated

        2
        Reply
        • Codeeg

          6 years ago

          -1 DRS is average, not good or bad.
          Learn to interpret stats before using them.

          Reply
        • Codeeg

          6 years ago

          Unless you just mean he’s not great, but in context to other catchers he’s essentially at the median.

          Reply
    • cards81

      6 years ago

      Dixon Miaz…you literally just told everyone that you don’t have a clue about baseball

      Reply
  2. david klein

    6 years ago

    Anyone else not getting alerts from the app?

    Reply
    • xxtremecubsguy89

      6 years ago

      I haven’t been since I got my new phone and I have alerts on and everything.

      Reply
  3. Nick Stevens

    6 years ago

    This is actually good news, whether Cards fans want to admit it or not. Molina is a shell of himself. I for one am tired of all the hype he gets like it’s still 2014.

    2
    Reply
    • nymetsking

      6 years ago

      and Wieters is better?

      1
      Reply
      • its_happening

        6 years ago

        Doubt Nick is saying that. I’m sure many feel the $20-mil to Molina is anoverpay and a salary that is more suitable for other needs on the team. However, Molina has meant so much to the organization and that is something to remember.

        Then again, Cards did throw a big extension to Carpenter and probably wish they could take back the Cecil signing. And Dexter Fowler.

        Reply
      • DarkSide830

        6 years ago

        not defending the point made above, but Weiters has hit near .400 in limited opportunities this season. not earth-shattering, but not garbage at all. still, id take Yadi over him.

        Reply
    • stan lee the manly

      6 years ago

      Reply
  4. walterfranciswhite

    6 years ago

    Just as the Cubs come into town. What a coincidence.

    Reply
    • jrad2007

      6 years ago

      He hasn’t played the last 2 games so not really a coincidence.

      2
      Reply
    • spudchukar

      6 years ago

      What are you trying to say?

      Reply
    • chicagofan1978

      6 years ago

      He usually kills the Cubs

      Reply
  5. CrewBrew

    6 years ago

    Molina brings alot of intangibles to the Cardinals. Yeah hes a shell of himself offensively but you can thank him for being a mentor to young pitchers. Hes essentially a pitching coach out there on the field.

    Reply
  6. shmeag

    6 years ago

    tHe bEsT cAtChEr iN tHe LeAgUe iS hUrT

    Reply
    • jorge78

      6 years ago

      Your keyboard has problems shmeag!

      Reply
  7. Fred K. Burke

    6 years ago

    Get well soon

    1
    Reply
    • chicagofan1978

      6 years ago

      Is this sarcasm? Hard to tell based on your name

      Reply
  8. Android Dawesome

    6 years ago

    He strained his thumb after getting it stuck to his chest protector.

    1
    Reply
    • themed

      6 years ago

      Idiot comments from stupid cub fans.

      Reply
      • mike127

        6 years ago

        And here’s another one (which is actually not an idiot comment as there is a bunch of truth to it)—-enjoy looking up at the Cubs again all summer again this year. Heck, enjoy looking up at the Brewers, Pirates and Reds also.

        1
        Reply
        • asdfgh

          6 years ago

          Hey mik127 enjoy looking at this at the end of the season and realizing that you truly are an idiot just one who is in denial. 162 games son, or in your case 163 and you lost it. Your pitching staff won’t hold up nor your bullpen. We have some more arms coming too! Be wary of making idiotic comments and assumptions when only 30% of the season has played. Especially since right now I’m also rooting for the St. Louis Blues who play a shorter amount of games and were in last place in January and are in the Stanley Cup Final. Also the Cardinals are a team that was playing really good ball before this funk. Your funk has yet to come. Stupid cubs, that’s what’s BORING!!!!

          Reply
        • callmenate

          6 years ago

          11 is a long way up from 3

          Reply
        • themed

          6 years ago

          Yeah what happened tonight bozo? Get use to it son.

          Reply
      • clepto

        6 years ago

        Speaking of the pot calling the kettle black.

        1
        Reply
    • petrie000

      6 years ago

      Maybe he hurt it celebrating on the field with Javy Baez?

      Or just during one of his psychotic meltdowns when he doesn’t like a call…

      1
      Reply
  9. gomerhodge71

    6 years ago

    Going solely on stats since I’ve never seen him play, it seems Knizner should be a decent call-up. He seems like a decent hitter and his defensive SB-CS stats are very impressive.

    Reply
  10. spinach

    6 years ago

    Would be neat if article said what level of minors he was playing at.

    Reply
  11. shotokan

    6 years ago

    The very fact that catchers are graded on pitch framing indicates the need for computerized or ‘robot ‘ umpires.

    Reply
  12. cards81

    6 years ago

    Anyone on this post saying Molina is not a great catcher proves you know nothing about baseball…thanks and come again

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Red Sox To Promote Roman Anthony

    Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.

    Braves Designate Craig Kimbrel For Assignment

    Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Braves Select Craig Kimbrel

    Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox

    White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel

    Sign Up For Trade Rumors Front Office Now And Lock In Savings!

    Pablo Lopez To Miss Multiple Months With Teres Major Strain

    MLB To Propose Automatic Ball-Strike Challenge System For 2026

    Giants Designate LaMonte Wade Jr., Sign Dominic Smith

    Reds Sign Wade Miley, Place Hunter Greene On Injured List

    Padres Interested In Jarren Duran

    Royals Promote Jac Caglianone

    Mariners Promote Cole Young, Activate Bryce Miller

    2025-26 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings: May Edition

    Evan Phillips To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    AJ Smith-Shawver Diagnosed With Torn UCL

    Reds Trade Alexis Díaz To Dodgers

    Rockies Sign Orlando Arcia

    Recent

    Red Sox To Promote Roman Anthony

    Red Sox Designate Robert Stock For Assignment, Select Brian Van Belle

    Trade Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat: Today At 2pm CT

    Rich Hill Has June 15 Opt-Out In Royals Deal

    AJ Smith-Shawver Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

    Poll: What Will The Rangers Do At The Deadline?

    Mets Select Justin Garza

    Submit Your Questions For This Week’s Episode Of The MLBTR Podcast

    Latest On Dodgers’ Rotation

    The Opener: Phillies, Wade, Perez, Dodgers, Padres

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version