JUPITER, Fla. -- St. Louis Cardinals star catcher Yadier Molina is hoping his injured thumb heals enough for him to play on opening day.
Recovering from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, Molina took part in his first catching drills of the spring Friday.
Molina put on the gear to catch slow-speed pitches and block balls from a pitching machine prior to the Cardinals' full-team workout. He wore a splint under the glove to help protect his thumb.
"It feels good," Molina said. "It's getting stronger."
He aims to play April 3 when the NL Central champions open at Pittsburgh.