Cards’ Molina could return for playoffs
Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina left, said Tuesday he plans to return before the end of the regular season despite a thumb injury.
Associated Press Tampa Bay's' Steven Souza Jr. hits a fifth-inning sacrifice flyTuesday against the Red Sox.
Cardinals All-Star catcher Yadier Molina said he plans to return before the end of the regular season despite a thumb injury.
Molina sustained a slight tear of his left thumb ligament Sunday while tagging out Cubs’ player Anthony Rizzo in a key play at the plate in the Cardinals’ 4-3 win. Rizzo was thrown out by right fielder Jason Heyward on a no-out, bases-loaded fly for a double play in the eighth inning.
On Tuesday, Molina said he’ll wait five or six days before trying to catch again.
Last year, Molina tore a ligament in his right thumb when sliding and the surgery sidelined him more than seven weeks. When he had his left thumb examined Monday, he said he was relieved the injury wasn’t as severe.
“I was expecting worse,” Molina said. “Five, seven, 10 days, whatever it is, but no surgery. That was good news.”
Molina didn’t have his thumb protected Tuesday, and it appeared slightly swollen. He’s said he’s putting ice on it and waiting for it to heal.
Mackanin no longer interim manager: The Philadelphia Phillies have announced Pete Mackanin will be their manager in 2016.
Mackanin replaced Ryne Sandberg on an interim basis on June 26. His contract was extended through next season with a club option for 2017.
The 64-year-old Mackanin is 30-46 since Sandberg abruptly resigned in the middle of his second full season.
The Phillies are 27-32 since the All-Star break.
Mackanin has worked for the Phillies for six of the past seven seasons.
Tampa Bay 5, Boston 2: Mikie Mahtook hit a two-run homer and Matt Moore recovered from a difficult start to strike out seven as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 5-2.
Atlanta 6, N.Y. Mets 2: Rookie right-hander Matt Wisler stopped his nine-start winless drought and the Atlanta Braves stalled the New York Mets’ push toward the NL East title with a 6-2 victory.
Baltimore 4, Washington 1: Ubaldo Jimenez pitched six gritty innings to earn his 100th career win and added an RBI single as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Washington Nationals 4-1 in the rain-delayed opener of a series between teams fighting to remain in the playoff race.