Molina in concussion protocol after taking 2 straight foul balls off mask
Things just went from bad to worse in St. Louis.
After getting blown out by the Chicago Cubs and being officially eliminated from the National League Central division race Monday, the team announced catcher Yadier Molina was placed in the concussion protocol after taking consecutive foul balls off his mask.
#MLBenSala | @Yadimolina04 está bajo observación para detectar posibles síntomas de conmoción tras recibir 2 fouls en su careta. GWS, YADI! pic.twitter.com/8Jn2kkcV9E
— Sala Deportiva (@SalaDeportivaRD) September 26, 2017
The veteran took the first foul tip square in the mask and immediately fell to his knees. Accompanied by a trainer, manager Mike Matheny checked on Molina and he stayed in the game. The pitch after, he would get hit again almost in the same area, leading to his exit in the seventh inning.
As he walked off the field, Molina apparently felt sick to his stomach and threw up, according to Rob Rains of STLSportsPage.
With the Cardinals fighting for the second and final wild-card spot, losing Molina for an extended period would be a devastating blow to a team that has lost three straight games. The 35-year-old has hit .273/.312/.439 with 18 home runs - his most since 2012 - and 2.1 WAR this season.