With Yadier Molina on the shelf, Ali Sanchez was called up in a corresponding move and is expected to back up Andrew Knizner behind the plate. Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals' Yadier Molina on IL with right foot tendon strain

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Apr 27, 2021 6:08 PM ET

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina returned to the lineup Monday after missing a couple of games with what was ultimately diagnosed as a right foot tendon strain.

The 38-year-old nine-time All-Star probably should've remained sidelined, however, as the Cardinals confirmed on Tuesday that they've placed Molina on the 10-day injured list. Per David Adler of the league's website, St. Louis recalled catcher Ali Sanchez from its alternate training site ahead of Tuesday's home matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies in a corresponding roster move.

Molina first suffered the setback running the bases in Friday's win over the Cincinnati Reds. Per ESPN stats, the veteran leads the Cardinals with a .323 batting average, .997 OPS, five home runs, five doubles and 14 RBIs in his first 19 games.

Adler added that Sanchez will likely sit behind Andrew Knizner on the depth chart through the bulk of Molina's absence. Knizner has hit .263 in nine games this season.

St. Louis fell to 11-11 on the campaign following Monday's loss to Philadelphia.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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