NLCS: Yadier Molina leaves Game 2 with strained oblique

Yadier Molina exited Game 2 of the NLCS in the 6th inning with an apparent injury to his lower body.

The St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants entered the 6th inning of their Game 2 battle with the score tied at 2-2. Few players are on either side are as important as Cardinals’ catcher Yadier Molina.

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Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Molina was forced to exit the game after he was unable to run out a double play ground ball. It was not the first time that Molina looked uncomfortable running or swinging the bat, but when he was barely able to leave the batter’s box it was clear that he was not going to be able to return to the game.

The injury was later reported to be a strained left oblique.

Here are some updates from the injury.

Molina is hurt, didn't leave box after grounding into double play, limping off now.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) October 13, 2014

Yadier Molina grabs knee, and never gets out of the box during DP. Looks like he'll be coming out of game.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 13, 2014

Tony Cruz comes in for Molina.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 13, 2014

Strained left oblique for Molina.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 13, 2014

Tony Cruz handled much of the back-up catching duties for the Cardinals during Molina’s absence in the regular season. This development also makes it such that the addition of A.J. Pierzynski to the NLCS roster should be mentioned.

That is especially relevant given the nature of the injury: guys don’t exactly bounce back quickly from oblique strains. This is the postseason, so anything can happen, but it seems likely that the Cardinals will be without Molina this week.