Major League Baseball

Molina in lineup for second time this spring training

Published Mar. 11, 2016 11:11 a.m. ET

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JUPITER, Fla. (AP) Yadier Molina was in the St. Louis Cardinals' starting lineup for the second time this spring training but again is unlikely to hit.

Molina was batting ninth against the Atlanta Braves on Friday. As in his 2016 debut Wednesday, he probably will play a couple of innings and come out of the game when it is his turn to bat.

Manager Mike Matheny said Molina took batting practice from a machine for the first time Friday, but Molina has not yet hit against a pitcher. Matheny said Molina's left thumb, operated on twice during the offseason, was not an issue when he made a sweeping tag to save a run on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old Molina expects to be ready for opening day.