Cards’ Yadier Molina goes on I.L. with strained right thumb tendon

ST. LOUIS – Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina was put on the 10-day injured list Friday because of a strained right thumb tendon.

The 36-year-old, a nine-time All-Star, got hurt during Saturday’s game against Atlanta and tried to play through the injury.

“It’s just a slight little tear between the thumb and the webbing, his right finger, rather,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said.

Shildt said the injury affected Molina’s batting.

St. Louis said the roster move was retroactive to Wednesday.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said surgery had not been discussed.

“We did an MRI this morning and that indicated that there is some damage to the tendon in his thumb, throwing hand, and we’ll have him see a specialist this afternoon, as well,” Mozeliak said. “Probably have a better idea of maybe length and what to expect by sometime tomorrow morning.”

Matt Wieters will get most of the playing time while Molina is sidelined. St. Louis selected the contract of Andrew Knizner from Triple-A Memphis.

Molina is batting .265 and four home runs and 33 RBIs and started 49 of the Cardinals’ first 53 games. He is on the disabled/list for the sixth for the sixth time.

The 24-year-old Knizner was batting .286 with five home runs and 17 RBIs at Memphis.