The St. Louis Cardinals will keep Yadier Molina on their postseason roster for now despite a strained left oblique muscle sustained in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series.

Molina flew on the team charter to the Bay Area on Sunday night after leaving Busch Stadium for an MRI exam.

Mike Matheny was encouraged Molina was able to throw Monday, though he did not swing the bat.

"I didn't think there was any possibility, having that injury myself," Matheny said. "It's just great having him with us in any capacity."

Molina said if he can't be in the starting lineup he hoped he could be ready from the bench.

"If I get the chance to play again, I don't want to think about my side. I want to think about winning the game," Molina said. "I'll take care of my side when I'm in here. But when I'm out there, I don't want to think about it."