Yadier Molina to return to Cardinals, will be in uniform as coach for Cubs series

Former St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina will be in uniform as a member of the major-league coaching staff for the team’s upcoming three-game series against the Chicago Cubs, manager Oli Marmol said Friday. It will be Molina’s first public appearance as a member of the organization since he retired in 2022.

Molina, who spent his entire 19-year career with St. Louis, will be in the Cardinals’ dugout as part of Marmol’s staff for Friday’s and Saturday’s games. He informed president of baseball operations John Mozeliak and Marmol earlier in the season that he would attend the series, and the three quickly agreed to have Molina in the dugout as a guest coach.

“He reached out to (Mozeliak) and me, asking what we thought about him being in uniform,” Marmol said to The Athletic. “My response was an easy one: Absolutely.”

Albert Pujols on the unspoken connection he had with Yadier Molina when back-picking runners at first base! pic.twitter.com/q7wam9TA5t

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 19, 2025

Molina’s return comes during a trying time for the organization. The Cardinals’ transition season resulted in a sell-off at the trade deadline, with the club’s future uncertain. Mozeliak will step down at the end of the year, and current advisor Chaim Bloom — who will take over as president of baseball operations — has already placed a firm focus on investing in player development and the minor leagues, but it remains to be seen what Bloom’s plan for the major-league team will be in 2026.

Molina has been candid about his desire to manage in MLB and will manage Team Puerto Rico for the second time in next year’s World Baseball Classic. Marmol has one year remaining on his contract. With a new front office coming in, speculation over their skipper’s future is bound to happen, though the Cardinals have given no indication they will make a managerial change.

Marmol is aware of the outside noise, but that won’t deter him from ensuring Molina can be around the team.

“Anytime you get the chance to have someone like Yadi around your players, you take it,” Marmol said. “It’s a no-brainer. The experience, the leadership, the presence he brings — it impacts everyone. As soon as I heard he was going to be in town, inviting him to sit next to me was the right move. It’s good for the players, good for the staff, and honestly, it’s great for the fans too.”

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Molina has limited his public appearances since his retirement. He has returned to Busch Stadium just once, when longtime battery-mate Adam Wainwright retired in 2023. The Cardinals hired Molina as a special advisor to Mozeliak before the 2024 season, but Molina was notably absent from the organization.

The 10-time All-Star acknowledged his time away from the Cardinals to The Athletic in March, citing a need to be around his family — especially his 16-year-old son Yanuell, who recently committed to playing college baseball at The University of Texas at Arlington. Molina also recognized how his prolonged absence could raise concerns with fans, and expressed hope he’d be able to return to St. Louis at some point this season.

“I would love to be there,” Molina said during spring training. “I would love to teach and coach the catchers … But right now my priority is to be with my family.

“I wish life was different for me to be there with the organization and in the city. And I hope that comes soon because I really miss it.”

Yadier Molina has been named Team Puerto Rico’s manager for the 2026 World Baseball Classic! pic.twitter.com/kNrANHEFFA

— MLB (@MLB) June 18, 2025

Molina won’t have a set role with the club over the weekend, though he’s sure to work with catchers Pedro Pagés and Yohel Pozo. Marmol hopes the entire clubhouse will take advantage of the opportunity, especially given the influx of youth post-trade deadline.

“I really enjoyed my time with (Molina), both as a coach and as a manager,” Marmol said. “I’m looking forward to having him back in uniform. There’s a deep respect there, not just for how he sees the game, but for the way he carries himself.”

“Even in just a short window, I know he can leave a lasting impact on our players,” he added. “He leads by example, and in his own powerful way, he shows these young guys what’s possible when you pour everything you have into the game. That kind of presence, it stays with you.”

The Cardinals (58-58) kick off their division showdown against the Cubs (66-48) with right-hander Michael McGreevy facing off against lefty Matthew Boyd.

(Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)