Major League Baseball

Pujols gets day off; Molina's feeling better

Published Mar. 26, 2010 7:51 p.m. ET

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Albert Pujols sat out the St. Louis Cardinals' game against the Washington Nationals on Friday, because manager Tony La Russa wants to use his star slugger each of the next three days.

The three-time NL MVP originally was slated to make the bus trip Friday, but La Russa decided to rest him. La Russa said Pujols' back is fine, but ``a bus ride is probably not the best thing - 4 hours on the bus, get tight or whatever.''

Pujols was scratched from last Monday's game with a sore back, then played Wednesday and Thursday, hitting a homer. La Russa plans to play Pujols on Saturday, Sunday and Monday and didn't want him out there six consecutive days.

La Russa said catcher Yadier Molina ``feels improved,'' 48 hours after hurting a side muscle. La Russa doubts Molina will play in any more exhibition games and isn't sure whether the All-Star will be ready opening day.

``I'm optimistic that if we're really careful, he'll be all right,'' the manager said. ``I know we're going to be careful with him, because he's going to want to push to play opening day. So we've got to figure out how realistic that is.''

The Cardinals also were without outfielder Colby Rasmus, who got spiked in the knee while attempting to break up a double play on Wednesday.

``It's a little bit sore,'' La Russa said. ``It's playable, but why push it?''

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