Yadier Molina is back with the Cardinals

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JUPITER, Florida, USA (AP) Yadier Molina is back, and both he and the Cardinals of San Luis couldn't be happier.

After missing the first week of spring training for personal reasons, the 39-year-old Puerto Rican arrived at the Cardinals complex on Monday for what will likely be his last spring training.

“The last two months have been difficult, but everything is fine now,” Molina said. “I'm happy to be back.”

When San Luis manager Olivier Marmol welcomed Molina during a private meeting, the cheers and applause of his teammates could be heard outside the building.

Before that, a smiling Molina couldn't take more than a handful of steps without another teammate coming up to hug him.

“I've already had three hugs, just a few minutes ago I gave him one,” said pitcher Adam Wainwright. “I'm probably going to go through the room in a minute. I am very happy that my friend is back.”

With 20 starts together this season, Wainwright and Molina will have 325 together, beating the major league record held by former Detroit Tigers players Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan.