Molina to be fined, not suspended; Edmonds passes physical

The Cardinals have been told by Major League Baseball that catcher Yadier Molina will be fined for throwing his equipment in the direction of home plate after being ejected by umpire Paul Schrieber on Monday in Milwaukee. Molina became angry with a pitch from Adam Wainwright that was called a ball by Schrieber.

The amount of the fine has not been released. No one seemed to believe that Molina's transgressions were significant enough to land him a suspension. That's a good thing considering backup catcher Jason LaRue is being bothered by a sore knee. In case you're wondering, the emergency catcher is Aaron Miles.

Molina has refused to discuss the ejection or the discarding on the field of his shinguards and chest protector. His manager never seemed concerned that MLB would suspend Molina.

“It’s the first ejection of his career," Tony La Russa said. "He’s been not just a solid citizen, but an exemplary citizen if you talk to any umpire that’s ever worked with him. That’s got to count for something. It usually does."

TLR didn't condone Molina's outburst of emotion or the equipment-tossing, but said it was significant because there was nothing artificial about it.

“I recommend sincerity," said the manager. "As long as it was sincere and not a show ... I get more complaints from fans about — whether it’s our players or other players — going through the motions and not playing with their hearts into it. As long as it’s sincere, and it was with him.

"Did he go too far? Probably. But like I said, he’s been more than a solid citizen, and he didn’t curse for the ejection. He had a lot of things going for him."

So might former Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds, who passed his physical Wednesday night and finalized a deal with the Cubs. Edmonds will be in the lineup Thursday afternoon when the Cubs close out a four-game series against San Diego at Wrigley Field. Edmonds, released by the Padres last week, will take his hacks against Greg Maddux.

As expected, Felix Pie was sent to Class AAA to make room for Edmonds.