The cast on Yadier Molina's surgically-repaired thumb has fully been removed. He and the Cardinals continue to be cautiously optimistic that he'll be ready for Opening Day.
Molina says he knows where he needs to be in his recovery to be ready for the rigors of the regular season, and it is just a matter of getting himself there. He shares that he is currently "just trying to concentrate on getting strength back in [his] hand." Keep an eye on where Molina is with the bat over the coming weeks as that is the final step of his recovery process. When and how well he does with that step will be the keys to starting his 2016 on a positive note.