Yadier Molina scratched from start in Friday’s game

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina stands with his hands on his hips as a ball is somehow stuck to his chest protector during the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in St. Louis. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals scratched catcher Yadier Molina from the starting lineup Friday night with lower back spasms.

Eric Fryer replaced Molina against the Philadelphia Phillies. Fryer was set to hit in the eighth spot.

Molina hit .300, playing in six games, on the recent seven-game trip on which St. Louis did not win a game. He has started 51 of the 58 games this season.

For the season, Molina is hitting .258 with six RBIs and one home run.

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