Molina was looking for a full-time coaching gig with the Cardinals, but since that didn’t materialize, he’ll join the front office for now. It doesn’t appear that he ever considered going to another organization. The 41-year-old Molina retired in 2022 after 19 seasons as a major leaguer, all with St. Louis.

Molina, who will manage Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic this offseason, will be eligible for enshrinement in Cooperstown -- along with longtime teammate Albert Pujols -- as members of the class of 2028. The 40-year-old catcher played 19 seasons in St. Louis and won a pair of World Series titles with the Cardinals. He was also a 10-time All-Star selection and nine-time Gold Glove Award winner.

How fun is this? Molina, 40, has a been a big part of the Puerto Rico roster in previous WBCs, and now he'll get a chance to lead the club next spring. It's not known yet if he'll also act as a player. It shouldn't shock anyone if Molina ends up managing an MLB team in the coming years -- assuming it's something he's interested in.

This absence could be related to the right knee issue that has been bothering Molina for much of the summer. Andrew Knizner will start behind the plate and bat eighth as the Cardinals aim to officially clinch the NL Central title on the road Tuesday night versus the second-place Brewers.