Matt Pagnozzi could be the Cardinals opening day starter behind the plate. That’s looking more and more like the possibility after Jason LaRue got hurt on Tuesday. There is still no timetable yet for Yadier Molina’s return.
LaRue hurt his hand in a collision with New York’s Jason Bay on Tuesday. A CT scan showed no broken bones, but LaRue said he’ll be out as long as he can’t squeeze the mitt around the ball. Molina, still out with a strained right side, did extended throwing and hitting in the cage, but he admitted it wasn’t without some discomfort, but he still sounded like he could be ready by opening day.
In his final start of the spring, Adam Wainwright said the line in the boxscore didn’t show it, but he was happy with the way he threw the ball. Wainwright went five innings and gave up five runs on 10 hits as the Nationals beat the Cardinals 9-6. Adam Wainwright’s comments.
The Cardinals have quite a weekend planned. They will wrap up in Florida today against the Marlins, then leave for Minnesota to play two games at their new ballpark. Then travel on Monday to Cincinnati for the season opener.