The Cardinals activated Molina (knee) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday. He'll start at catcher and bat eighth in Tuesday's game against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Molina missed about a month and a half with his knee injury, but he should be ready to take over primary duties behind the plate now that he's been reinstated to the active roster. Andrew Knizner will move into the No. 2 catching role as a result.

Molina (knee) caught five innings in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Memphis on Saturday and remains on track to be activated Tuesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Molina was forced to exit an appearance with Memphis on Thursday after being hit by a pitch on his left hand. However, he was back in the lineup Saturday and is expected to play again Sunday. Assuming everything goes according to plan in those appearances, Molina will rejoin the Cardinals for their upcoming series against the Cubs -- he remains on schedule to be activated Tuesday.

Molina (knee) won't appear in a rehab game at Triple-A Memphis on Friday after he was hit by a pitch on his left hand Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Molina underwent X-rays on his hand that came back negative, but he'll still get a day off Friday. However, the 40-year-old expects to start behind the dish Saturday and Sunday and hopes to rejoin the Cardinals ahead of Tuesday's game against the Cubs.

Molina (knee) will make the first appearance of his minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Memphis on Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

In his first game action since June 15, Molina will serve as Memphis' designated hitter. According to Denton, Molina is expected to pick up a start behind the plate for Memphis on Friday, and if all goes well, he could make his return from the 10-day injured list as soon as Tuesday versus the Cubs. Andrew Knizner will move into the No. 2 role at catcher once Molina is reinstated from the IL.

Molina (knee) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Memphis on Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Molina has been on the injured list for over a month but has been cleared to return to game action in the minors after he was examined by the team's medical staff Monday. The 40-year-old will participate in cardiovascular and baseball simulated drills over the next few days prior to reporting to Memphis, and the Cardinals hope that he'll be able to return to the active roster Aug. 2.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Tuesday that Molina (knee) is on track to begin rehabbing in late July and is expected to be ready to return from the injured list in the first week of August, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Molina has been away from the team for a few weeks, and he's expected to remain in his native Puerto Rico through the All-Star break while he continues his recovery. However, if he remains free of setbacks in the next week, he'll report back to the Cardinals following the break and rejoin the active roster shortly thereafter. St. Louis has received poor production from the likes of Andrew Knizner, Austin Romine and Ivan Herrera at catcher while its top backstop has been sidelined.

Molina (knee) hinted in a post Tuesday on his personal Instagram account that he could resume baseball activities in the coming days, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals have been non-committal on a timeline for Molina's return from the 10-day injured list while he battles right knee inflammation, but the veteran backstop looks like he may be ready to begin his rehab program in earnest. Since he was deactivated June 17, Molina has returned to his native Puerto Rico to rest up, but a return to St. Louis or the Cardinals' spring training complex in Florida would confirm that he's prepared to start ramping up again. Molina can safely be ruled out through the All-Star break, and he'll need to demonstrate considerable progress over the next week to have a realistic chance at being available when the Cardinals open up their second-half schedule July 22 in Cincinnati.

Molina (knee) hasn't yet resumed baseball activities, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Molina returned to his native Puerto Rico in late June to rehab his right knee and has been feeling better recently, but he isn't yet ready to resume baseball activities. The 39-year-old will require a rehab assignment prior to rejoining the Cardinals, so it seems likely that he'll be sidelined until at least after the All-Star break.

Molina recently returned to his native Puerto Rico to rehab his injured right knee and is without a timeline to come off the 10-day injured list, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals likely won't have a target date for Molina's return until he's able to resume baseball activities under the supervision of the team, so the fact that he's left the team to conduct his rehab suggests he'll be sidelined beyond the minimum 10 days. Andrew Knizner is expected to continue serving as the Cardinals' main backstop while Molina is on the shelf. Molina's uncertain return date and declining production prior to landing on the IL could make him a reasonable drop candidate, perhaps even in some leagues that start two catchers each week.

Molina was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with right knee inflammation. The transaction is retroactive to Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran backstop has dealt with the knee issue throughout the first couple months of the season, and he'll head to the injured list after receiving a series of cortisone injections last weekend. Molina will be eligible to be reinstated June 26, though it's unclear if he's expected to be ready to play by that point. Andrew Knizner will serve as the Cardinals' No. 1 catcher in the meantime, with Ivan Herrera called up to serve as the backup.