The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to tonight’s series open against the Chicago Cubs that they have activated All-Star catcher Yadier Molina from the 15-day disabled list and optioned catcher Tony Cruz to Springfield (AA).
Molina, 32, suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb while sliding into third base on July 9 and was placed on the disabled list the next day. He underwent corrective surgery for the injury on July 11.
Molina was batting .287 with 7 HR’s and 30 RBI in 83 games at the time of his injury and he was voted the starting National League All-Star catcher. Molina was 5-for-6 with three doubles and 2 RBI in a pair of games with Springfield (AA) during an injury rehabilitation stint this week.
The Cardinals also announced today that left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales will be recalled from Memphis (AAA) and will be added to the team as its 26th man for tomorrow’s day-night double-header. Gonzales is slated to start tomorrow’s night game (7:15 p.m. CDT) against Chicago.
Gonzales, 22, the Cardinals number one draft selection (19th player overall) in 2013, has made three prior starts for the Cardinals this season, including his Major League debut on June 25 at Colorado.
Gonzales, who has pitched at four levels this season (A, AA, AAA, MLB), was 4-1 with a 3.35 ERA in eight starts (45.2 IP) for Memphis. His overall minor league totals this year include a 9-5 mark with a 2.43 ERA and he’s walked just 27 in 122.0 IP while striking out 117. His last start came on August 24 vs. Fresno when he logged 6.0 scoreless innings while winning his 4th-straight decision dating back to July 22.
