ST. LOUIS (AP) - Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina was held out of the starting lineup for the second game in a row Thursday night because of tightness in his back.
Molina, who is hitting .312 with 16 homers and 54 RBI, is hoping to return to the lineup sometime this weekend. The Cardinals host Pittsburgh in a three-game series beginning Friday.
Molina felt discomfort prior to Tuesday's game but played the first eight innings before he was replaced by Tony Cruz. Cruz was in the starting lineup Thursday, batting seventh against the Arizona Diamondbacks.