NL NOTEBOOK
Cardinals' Molina Taken Off Field on a Stretcher
"We're keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for the best," Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa said after Yadier Molina's collision yesterday.
(By Tom Gannam -- Associated Press)
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Cardinals C Yadier Molina was taken off the field on a stretcher with a brace around his neck after getting run over on a tag play in the ninth inning yesterday.
Molina was taken to a hospital for evaluation of neck and back pain. Team spokesman Brian Bartow said Molina did not lose consciousness after the collision.
Manager Tony La Russa said initial reports were positive. Albert Pujols, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left calf, told the manager in the 10th inning that he had spoken with Molina before the catcher was taken to the hospital.
"The initial stuff was okay," La Russa said. "At least right now. We're keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for the best."
Molina got spun around on a one-hop throw from 1B Chris Duncan, who had been playing in when he fielded Phillies star Jimmy Rollins's bad-hop grounder. As he was turning to make the tag, Molina was drilled by pinch runner Eric Bruntlett and he was face down in the dirt for several minutes while being attended to by medical personnel.
Bruntlett and Jayson Werth, Philadelphia's next hitter, were among those watching nearby. La Russa had no problem with the play, saying "I don't blame the runner.
"It gets your stomach a little bit because you fear the worst," the manager said. "It was very scary and we'll see. Hopefully, we're okay."
Molina showed plate umpire Tim McClelland he still had the ball, holding it in his right hand, before collapsing in front of the plate. He did not appear to be moving as the cart left the field.
· GAGNÉ THROWS OFF MOUND: Brewers reliever Eric Gagné threw about 25 pitches off the mound as he continues to recover from right rotator cuff tendinitis.
Gagné smiled but declined to speak after the session. He said Saturday that he felt about "90 percent" healthy and was eager to throw from the mound "just to start getting the feeling back." There is no timetable for his return.
· ROCKIES MOVES: The Rockies recalled C Edwin Bellorin from AAA Colorado Springs with Yorvit Torrealba serving the first of a two-game suspension.
To make room on the roster, the Rockies optioned IF Jonathan Herrera to the AAA club.
Torrealba was suspended for a fight with the Dodgers' Matt Kemp on June 3. Torrealba initially was suspended for three games.
Bellorin appeared in three games last season for the Rockies and was 0 for 2. He was hitting .310 with two homers and 38 RBI for Colorado Springs.
-- From News Services
