Yadier Molina (Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports)
Molina had been bothered by discomfort in the thumb following the first operation in mid-October after the Cardinals were ousted from the National League playoffs by the Chicago Cubs.
The Cardinals still hope that Molina will recover in time for opening day in 2016. After Molina’s first surgery, his projected return was sometime during spring training.
The injury occurred Sept. 20 in Chicago while Molina tagged out Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo at the plate.
The Cardinals recently added catcher Brayan Pena for insurance behind the plate as Molina’s backup.
