Yadier Molina's healthy hitting — the Cardinals' starting catcher had nine hits in four games before Saturday's loss to the Reds — and backup catcher Brayan Pena's knee injury made it difficult for manager Mike Matheny to find an off day for his eight-time Gold Glove Award winner.
The first comes Sunday.
Eric Fryer will start his first game of the season and hit eighth while Molina gets a breather. Left fielder/first baseman Matt Holliday and second baseman Kolten Wong are also on the bench.
It's almost as if the Cardinals (6-5) are preparing for Monday, when they start a three-game home series against the rival Chicago Cubs (9-2).