JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -Albert Pujols was hitless in his return to the lineup, but Yadier Molina left the St. Louis Cardinals' 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday because of a side injury.

The All-Star catcher left the game in the second inning with a strained right oblique and will be reevaluated on Thursday. He was injured while sliding into second base with a double. Molina advanced to third on David Freese?s single to center, but did not even try to score.

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He left the game immediately thereafter, walking off the infield holding his right side.

Pujols, the reigning National League MVP, was scratched from Monday's lineup because of a bad back. He underwent an MRI and received an anti-inflammatory injection. He followed Tuesday's off day by going 0 for 3 with a walk.