Wieters went 1-for-2 with a two-run single, a walk and a run during a win over the Brewers in the second game of a doubleheader Friday.
Wieters made the final contribution to the Cardinals' nine-run barrage by plating Paul DeJong and Dylan Carlson with a timely fifth-inning single. The veteran backstop continues to see limited opportunities behind starter Yadier Molina, but he's enjoyed a solid September in the form of a .304 average with a double, four RBI, two walks, two hit by pitches and three runs in 13 games this month.
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Cardinals' Matt Wieters: Delivers as in-game replacement
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Wieters entered Monday's loss to the Cubs as a replacement for Yadier Molina (elbow) and went 1-for-1 with an RBI single.
Activated from the injured list Friday after overcoming a toe bruise, Wieters went 0-for-2 in a start during the second game of Saturday's twin bill against Chicago. However, he bounced back Monday to deliver the only run of the game for the Cardinals in the seventh inning, marking his first RBI of the campaign. The combination of his own recent two-week absence and Molina's penchant for playing nearly every day has kept Wieters to just 16 plate appearances across eight games this season, with the bulk of that action coming when the former was in his final days on the COVID-19 injured list.
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Cardinals' Matt Wieters: Returns from injured list
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Wieters (toe) was activated from the injured list Friday.
Wieters missed two weeks with a bruised toe. He'll return to his role as Yadier Molina's backup, with Andrew Knizner getting optioned in a corresponding move.
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Cardinals' Matt Wieters: Runs bases Saturday
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Wieters (toe) was able to run the bases and the outfield Saturday at Busch Stadium, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
His activity level was noteworthy, as Wieters appears to have definitely made good progress over the last few days. Manager Mike Shildt confirmed to reporters that Wieters is now likely to go on the team's upcoming road trip that begins Monday and be activated from the injured list at some point during it.
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Cardinals' Matt Wieters: Workout set for Saturday
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Wieters (toe) will work out at Busch Stadium on Saturday, the Associated Press reports.
The backup catcher will take another step toward potential activation with Saturday's workout. Wieters is first eligible to come off the injured list Sunday, and the outcome of his increase in activity Saturday will have a large part to play in the decision.
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Cardinals' Matt Wieters: Evaluation on tap
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Wieters (toe) will return to St. Louis on Thursday to have his toe contusion evaluated, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Wieters had returned home for rest since being placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, but he'll now have the progress of his toe contusion evaluated first-hand by the team's medical staff. Wieters has been undergoing daily COVID-19 testing while away, so he won't be subject to intake testing upon arrival in St. Louis. The veteran backstop had reported to manager Mike Shildt in recent days that his toe was feeling better and had much less inflammation, so there's presumably a chance he's ready for activation when first eligible Sunday.
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Cardinals' Matt Wieters: Sidelined with toe injury
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Wieters was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left great toe contusion.
Wieters apparently suffered the injury during Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cubs, and it will keep him sidelined for at least 10 days. When the backstop returns, he'll assume a backup role behind Yadier Molina, who was activated from the IL in a corresponding move.
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Cardinals' Matt Wieters: On bench for Game 2
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Wieters is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Wieters went 0-for-3 with a walk during the matinee and will retreat to the bench for the nightcap. Andrew Knizner will take over behind the plate for St. Louis.
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Cardinals' Matt Wieters: Retreats to bench
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Wieters won't start Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Wieters failed to collect a base knock in the first contest of the day in two at-bats. He'll get the rest of the day off with Andrew Knizner slated to take over behind the dish in Game 2.
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Cardinals' Matt Wieters: Not starting Game 1
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Wieters isn't starting Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the White Sox.
After a long layoff for the Cardinals, Wieters is expected to serve as the primary catcher while Yadier Molina (illness) is sidelined. However, Andrew Knizner will start behind the dish for the first game of Saturday's twin bill.
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Cardinals' Matt Wieters: Short-term playing time bump
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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.
Wieters has a .304 batting average in 56 career at-bats against Cubs southpaw Jon Lester, so he figures to be starting Friday, and he'll likely get several more starts before Molina can be activated. Andrew Knizner will serve as the Cards' backup.
Cardinals' Matt Wieters: Shortened season may be advantage
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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.
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.
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Cardinals' Matt Wieters: Struggles at plate this spring
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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.
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.
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Cardinals' Matt Wieters: Returning to St. Louis
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Wieters agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal with the Cardinals on Sunday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
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.
Cardinals' Matt Wieters: Comes through as pinch hitter
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Wieters slugged a pinch-hit, two-run home run in his only at-bat during a win over the Nationals on Wednesday.
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.
