Cardinals place Molina on IL amid series of roster moves

In this June 28 file photo, Yadier Molina of the Cardinals singles during the second inning of a game against the Padres in San Diego.
In this June 28 file photo, Yadier Molina of the Cardinals singles during the second inning of a game against the Padres in San Diego.

ST. LOUIS (AP) - The Cardinals placed catcher Yadier Molina on the injured list with a strained right thumb and activated infielder Matt Carpenter as part of a series of roster moves Thursday.

St. Louis also brought up left-hander Chasen Shreve from Triple-A Memphis, optioned left-hander Tyler Webb and outfielder Rangel Ravelo to Memphis, and transferred pitcher Jordan Hicks to the 60-day IL update ahead of their series against Arizona beginning tonight.

Molina's move to the IL was retroactive to Monday. The nine-time All-Star, who missed 12 games in May and June with a similar injury, pinch-hit Saturday but hasn't started a game since July 3.

Carpenter has been sidelined since June 29 with a lower back strain.

Shreve appeared in 20 games for the Cardinals last season, and is 2-1 with a 3.80 ERA in 37 games for Memphis this season. Kinzer made his big-league debut June 2, going 0-for-7 for St. Louis.