Wieters is set to serve as the Cardinals' primary catcher until Yadier Molina returns from the COVID-19 injured list, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

He has a .304 average in 56 at-bats against Cubs southpaw Jon Lester, so he figures to be starting Friday and will likely get several more starts before Molina can be activated. Andrew Knizner will serve as the backup.

Wieters may benefit from a shortened regular season, as the reduced number of games could prompt the Cardinals to keep prospect Andrew Knizner at Triple-A Memphis throughout the campaign.

EDGE Analysis

Neither Wieters nor Knizner did much to speak of at the plate before spring training was suspended, and the fact that both the major- and minor-league seasons will almost certainly be abbreviated to some degree this year could work in the veteran's favor. Wieters was brought back on a team-friendly $2 million deal for 2020, which implied the Cardinals likely preferred to keep Knizner down on the farm for additional seasoning. The fact the 25-year-old scuffled offensively this spring and has a modest 83 games of Triple-A experience further increases the probability he stays with the Redbirds for the duration of the shortened season before a projected ascension in 2021.

Wieters was hitting .158 (3-for-19) with one double, one home run, three RBI, one walk and two runs across eight Grapefruit League games before spring training was suspended.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran catcher returned to St. Louis on a one-year contract to once again serve as Yadier Molina's backup, and although he's endured a sluggish spring, he still remains the clear favorite to open the season in that role after slugging 11 home runs across 67 games during his first Cardinals season in 2019. Andrew Knizner is also in camp and considered the heir apparent to Molina, but he's also struggled this spring (.154 average across 13 games) and is expected to open the season in Triple-A Memphis.

Wieters agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal with the Cardinals on Sunday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 33-year-old's return to the Cardinals has been rumored throughout the offseason, and he'll now officially serve as Yadier Molina's backup for a second season. Wieters posted a .214/.268/.435 slash line with 11 home runs and 27 RBI in 67 games (183 plate appearances in 2019, as Molina played in his fewest number of games (113) since 2014.

Wieters slugged a pinch-hit, two-run home run in his only at-bat during a win over the Nationals on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Wieters' first at-bat since Aug. 31 could hardly have been scripted better, as he launched a 368-foot shot to right off former battery mate Max Scherzer with Tommy Edman aboard to extend the Cardinals' lead to its final 5-1 margin. Wieters appears to finally be over the calf strain that had plagued him the entirety of September and will be available to give Yadier Molina any needed breathers over the last week-plus of St. Louis' postseason push.

Wieters (calf) responded well to participation in baseball activities the last two days and was available off the bench Tuesday night against the Nationals, the Associated Press reports. "Wieters is cleared," St. Louis manager Mike Shildt said. "He's available."

EDGE Analysis

The veteran catcher's return to action gives Shildt a left-handed option off the bench during the stretch run, as well as a reliable backup to fellow graybeard backstop Yadier Molina. Wieters had been sidelined the entirety of September with his calf strain.

Wieters (calf) ramped up the intensity of his workouts again Saturday at Busch Stadium and reports he is essentially feeling back to normal, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran backstop has been working on being able to push off on his initial step out of the batter's box without discomfort, and this latest report seems to indicate that Wieters was able to successfully accomplish that task Saturday. Manager Mike Shildt confirmed Wieters seems to be on the verge of a return, with how he feels in the early part of the week after the ramp-up in activity likely key in determining how close Wieters may be to activation.

Wieters (calf) took catching drills without issue before Wednesday's game and then upped the intensity of his runs Thursday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran backstop continues to make notable inroads in his recovery, with the increase in activity level over the last two days extending a positive week-long trend. However, Wieters still continues to have some discomfort when trying to get a running start out of a stationary position, as is required when breaking out of the batter's box. Therefore, his return timetable still remains somewhat murky for the moment.

Wieters (calf) will engage in a variety of baseball activities before Wednesday's game against the Rockies, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wieters has already been hitting from both sides of the plate in the cage and doing light baseball activities such as throwing and getting into a catcher's stance, none of which have presented a problem. The veteran backstop is yet to try a running start out of the batter's box, where the calf's ability to push off is crucial. "We'll see how it goes," Wieters said. "I still have to pass the test of running. If I can't get out of the box, you're not really helping your team out too much anyway. But we'll see. We're at a point where we're not going to push it to put it at risk, but I definitely want to get out there as soon as I can."

Wieters (calf) progressed to running on the field prior to Friday's game, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's another key step for Wieters, particularly since this latest activity directly involves the area of his injury. Manager Mike Shildt remains hopeful of having his veteran backstop back in action at some point during the current six-game road trip, but that remains firmly up in the air. "We're not going to push, clearly," Shildt said. "He was on the field today [doing] baseball activities. How he recovers tomorrow will be a big indicator, and then we'll kind of go from there."