CHICAGO (AP) – St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is out of the lineup for Game 4 of the NL Division Series because of weakness in his left thumb.
Molina winced on a swing-and-miss in the fourth inning of Monday night’s 8-6 loss to the Cubs, and then was checked by a trainer and manager Mike Matheny. The seven-time All-Star was removed for a pinch hitter in the sixth.
Molina missed the last part of the regular season due to a strained ligament in his thumb. He is 1 for 8 with two strikeouts in the series.
The Cubs also are missing a key player. Shortstop Addison Russell is out of the lineup after he left Game 3 with tightness in his left hamstring.
Chicago leads 2-1 in the best-of-series.
Tony Cruz got the start at catcher for the Cardinals on Tuesday, and Javier Baez is at shortstop for the Cubs.