The St. Louis Cardinals are set to begin a 2026 season in four days with the first of a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Game 1 of the series is set to take place at 3:15 p.m. CT on Thursday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

The Cardinals' season isn't expected to be one that results in playoff contention. However, the team will have several notable and exciting players that could define the organization for years to come.

For the start of the season, one of St. Louis' best players in franchise history will get a chance to help guide the future.

According to a report from Belleville News-Democrat reporter Jeff Jones, former Cardinals catcher and current special assistant to the president of baseball operations Yadier Molina will be in the dugout against the Rays.

Molina will be with the team and in-uniform across the entire homestand from March 26-April 1, which will also include a series against the New York Mets.

Molina was hired to his current role earlier this offseason. In his current role, the 10-time All-Star will be similar to a roving coach and will assist in instructing catchers in the minor and major leagues. He is also expected to be in-uniform in the major league dugout for several series this year, including the aforementioned first homestead.

It's been reported and rumored that Molina has aspirations to be a major league manager and strong performance in his current job will likely assist toward that effort.

Molina served as manager this spring for Team Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Molina spent the entirety of his 19-season major league career with the Cardinals from 2004-22. During that time, he was named to the Midsummer Classic 10 times (2009-15, '17-18, '21). Won nine Gold Glove awards ('08-15, '18), won the Silver Slugger award once ('13) and won the Roberto Clemente award once ('18).

During his nearly two-decade-long career with the Cards, Molina helped lead the team to two World Series championships in '06 and '11. He won two World Baseball Classic silver medals with Puerto Rico in '13 and '17.

St. Louis' catching position will likely be one of the most important and talented positions on the team going forward.

Catcher/designated hitter Ivan Herrera is one of the best bats on the team. He was limited to just 107 games due to injuries.

In Herrera's stead, Pedro Pages filled in primary catching duties and is expected to have a similar role this season.

Two of the Cardinals' six top 100 prospects (per MLB Pipeline) are also catchers: Rainiel Rodriguez (No. 37 MLB Pipeline) and Leonardo Bernal (No. 98 MLB Pipeline).

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