Molina won't have cast removed until mid-February

St. Louis Cardinals All-Star catcher Yadier Molina appears to be behind the initial recovery timetable the team projected following the second operation on his injured left thumb.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak told reporters Saturday that Molina won't have his cast removed until the middle of February - roughly double the four-to-five-week estimation the team originally announced in December.

Though it isn't clear if there have been any physical setbacks with Molina's condition, Mozeliak sounds unconcerned the updated timeline will affect the veteran's status for Opening Day.

"I'm not all that concerned about Yadi, so I don't want to put this huge darkness on whether he may or may not be ready," Mozeliak told MLB.com. "I think once he gets this cast off, we'll get a much better feel for when he is ready. It's going to be weak. But then the question is, 'Can he get stronger?'"

Molina underwent surgery after the Cardinals were eliminated in the NL Division Series to repair torn thumb ligaments suffered during a play at the plate in September. The eight-time Gold Glover required a second operation in mid-December due to lingering discomfort.

Mozeliak indicated the Cardinals will likely consider internal options between now and spring training in the event Molina isn't fully healed. Cardinals pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training on February 17 in anticipation of their first workout slated for the following day.