Yadier Molina Placed on IL by Cardinals with Foot Injury

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina was added to the 10-day injured list with a right foot tendon strain, and the Cardinals recalled catcher Ali Sanchez from the club's alternate site, the team announced Tuesday. 

Molina, 38, is slashing .323/.366/.631 with five home runs and 14 RBI to begin the season, while the 23-year-old Sanchez has just 10 MLB plate appearances in his career with one hit, one walk and three strikeouts. 

The Cardinals host the Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium on Tuesday with the first pitch slated for 7:45 p.m. ET. 

Sanchez is ranked the No. 24 prospect in the Cardinals farm system by MLB Pipeline, with scouts grading his fielding a 60 (on a scale of 20-80) and a score of 40 overall. 

Per Pipeline: 

"Sanchez’s true value is his defensive ability. An excellent receiver, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound backstop moves well behind the plate, is praised for his game-calling and controls the running game with a plus arm. In the batter’s box, Sanchez controls the zone and doesn’t strike out often. While Sanchez currently has below-average power and will never be a slugger, the Cardinals feel there is a bit more pop than what he has shown so far."

Backup catcher Andrew Knizner should receive the bulk of playing time while Molina remains on IL, but expect Sanchez to get a few opportunities to prove himself after St. Louis acquired him from the New York Mets in February for cash considerations. 

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Still, the sooner Molina returns the better as the Cards (11-11) look to separate themselves from the pack in the National League Central.