Since 2003, only two catchers have been the Opening Day starter behind the plate for the St. Louis Cardinals. One is Mike Matheny. The other is Yadier Molina.
But that could change this year.
Molina's health has been in question all offseason after suffering a torn ligament in his left thumb late last season against the Chicago Cubs and needed two subsequent surgeries. It's possible that the seven-time All-Star may not be ready come April 3 when the Cardinals head to Pittsburgh for Opening Day.
Molina told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch last week that he is still a couple weeks away from catching. But Molina's goal remains to be ready by the first game in Pittsburgh.
"That's what I want," Molina told Goold last Monday after a workout at the team's spring training facility in Jupiter, Florida. "I've got a pretty good idea of what I'm looking for Opening Day. Right now, I'm trying to concentrate on getting the strength back in my hand. My whole body feels good. I'm just trying to concentrate on my hand."
It remains to be seen if the Cardinals will sign or trade for a catcher as a contingency plan in case Molina is not ready. The organization did sign former Cincinnati Reds catcher Brayan Pena in the offseason, and it's expected that he will see additional work this spring in the absence of Molina. Minor league prospects Michael Ohlman and Carson Kelly will likely see some time behind the plate during spring training as well.
Last offseason, Molina came to spring training 20 pounds lighter. He intended to build strength in his body and in his right hand throughout the course of the season, but he got off to a slow start hitting at the plate. This year, he arrived to camp 10 pounds heavier, but still remains much lighter than what he weighed in years past.
"That's what was so frustrating last year," Matheny told Goold. "It's not easy to do what he did. It's not like he was trying to go win a swimsuit competition. He went through a very regimented program to figure out, 'How can I help my team more?' It took discipline and it took a lot of hard work to get there. Strength -- people worried about that. A lot of that had to do with strength (in the hand), not necessarily the overall body strength. He realized as you age you better be making some adjustments."
Even if Molina is able to go April 3 in Pittsburgh, it's very possible that this injury could affect his production at the plate. In 2014, Molina missed time due to a similar injury in his right hand. It was a struggle for him to regain power in the hand once he came back, and this was reflected in his numbers at the plate.
For the Cardinals to be successful this year, they need both a healthy and productive Molina calling pitches behind the plate. They need his bat to be a force. After losing Jason Heyward last offseason to the rival Chicago Cubs, the Cardinals lineup will be pressing for offense. Additionally, Molina's drop in productivity over the last few seasons is a cause for concern.
In 2012, Molina had arguably his best season in the major leagues. He batted .315 and had 22 home runs and 76 RBI. He also had career-highs in OBP, SLG and OPS percentages. Molina had an excellent 2013 as well, in which he hit a career-high 44 doubles.
Last season in 136 games, Molina hit just .270 and had a career-low of 4 home runs and an OPS of .660. For him to be successful this year, Molina will have to make sure he regains full strength in his left hand.
Molina is a force behind the plate, and he is exactly what the Cardinals need to make this pitching staff successful. There is no one the Cardinals would rather have calling pitches. To have a shot at winning the National League Central, Molina must be healthy and productive from the beginning of the season on Opening Day.
