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MLB notes: All-Star Yadier Molina out 8-12 weeks

St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina has thrown out an MLB- high 47 percent of attempted base stealers this year. (Associated Press)
Associated Press
St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina has thrown out an MLB- high 47 percent of attempted base stealers this year. (Associated Press)

St. Louis Cardinals All-Star catcher Yadier Molina will undergo surgery today to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb and could miss the rest of the season.

The team estimated Molina could be sidelined eight to 12 weeks. He’s hoping to make it back in seven or eight weeks.

Molina was injured Wednesday when he planted his hand for balance after sliding feet-first into third base in the second inning. He caught another half-inning before Tony Cruz batted for him in the third.

Catcher Audry Perez was recalled from Triple-A Memphis and will be the backup behind Cruz.

Molina was hitting .287 with seven homers and 30 RBIs and led the majors by throwing out 47 percent of attempted base stealers along with three pickoffs.

Tanaka has torn ligament in elbow

Masahiro Tanaka has a partially torn ligament in his right elbow, but the New York Yankees hope their rookie sensation will be able to pitch again this season.

GM Brian Cashman said that Tanaka could return in six weeks, but didn’t rule out the possibility of Tommy John surgery.

The All-Star is 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA in 18 starts, but has lost three of his past four outings.

Panel approves Wrigley upgrade

Wrigley Field took a step in the direction of every major league ballpark in the country when a city commission unanimously approved the Chicago Cubs’ massive renovation project that includes a Jumbotron and six other electronic signs.

Clearing the bases

The Philadelphia Phillies have purchased OF Grady Sizemore’s contract from Triple-A and sent RHP David Buchanan to Lehigh Valley. Sizemore will join the team for a three-game series against Washington before the All-Star break. … Royals OF Alex Gordon will miss next week’s All-Star game after visiting with a hand specialist and receiving an injection for his sprained right wrist. Angels SS Erick Aybar was added to the roster as Gordon’s replacement. … Angels LHP C.J. Wilson has been put on the 15-day DL with a right ankle sprain. RHP Cory Rasmus was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake and RHP Drew Rucinski brought up from Double-A Arkansas, where RHP Cam Bedrosian was optioned. … The Royals placed LHP Jason Vargas on the disabled list after an appendectomy and recalled RHP Louis Coleman from Triple-A Omaha.