The Cardinals have placed starting catcher Yadier Molina on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured left wrist.  Molina will miss 4-6 weeks with this injury.  The Cardinals have recalled catcher Brian Esposito from AAA ball to replace Molina on the roster.  But, Espostio had big problems in the minors so far this season as he played 36 games there and he was only 20 for 115 (.174 avg, .465 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 2 homers and 5 RBIs.  Esposito will likely just back up Gary Bennett who likely will take over as the starting catcher until Molina is ready to return.  Bennett has played in 18 games this season for the Cards and he’s 10 for 48 (.208 avg, .428 OPS) with 4 runs scored and 2 RBIs.  Bennett has never been much of a hitter and it’s possible that the Cardinals will look to make a trade for a catcher to start for them.

The Cardinals had a good week as they went 4-2 as they outscored their opponents 31-26.  The Cardinals combined timely hitting with solid pitching and it paid off as they picked up 3 games on the division leading Brewers.  The Cards entered this week with a 20-27 record which had them in 4th place in the National League Central, 6.5 games behind the Brewers.

The Cardinals have demoted starting pitcher Anthony Reyes to AAA ball.  In 9 starts this season, Reyes is 0-8 with a 6.08 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP.  The Cards will replace Reyes in the rotation with Todd Wellemeyer.  Wellemeyer has pitched in 4 games for the Cards so far his season and he’s 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP.  In 6.2 innings this season, he has allowed 7 hits, walked 1 batter and whiffed 8.  I’m not too sure converting Wellemeyer into a starter will work for the Cardinals but only time will tell.

20 year old lefty swinging centerfielder Colby Rasmus is off to a good start this season in AA ball.  Rasmus is the Cardinals #1 ranked prospect according to Baseball America.  In 44 games, he’s 48 for 162 (.296 avg, 938 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 7 homers, 26 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.  Rasmus will be the CF for the Cardinals when Jim Edmonds is ready to hang up his cleats or move to leftfield.

Ryan Franklin has been a godsend in the Cardinals bullpen so far this season.  In 18 games, Franklin is 1-0 with a 0.95 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP so far this season.  In 19 innings, he has allowed only 13 hits and walked 2 batters while whiffing 10.  Look for Franklin to get a shot in the Cardinals rotation at some point this season if they continue to have problems there.