Matheny added: “He’s got people around here that are willing to teach if he’ll be accessible in thinking about the game. He could view it as a day off or he could view it as an opportunity to get better, just like every other one of our guys.

“There’s a group of guys who are going to go about it with everything they’ve got. We just need everyone else to be doing the same.

“Our job is to try and continue to teach. And sometimes, there are tough lessons. He gets it. But getting it and applying it ... those are steps.”

Asked if Taveras might be back in the lineup against a righthander tonight, Matheny replied, “We’ll see.”

MOLINA IS CATCHING

Catcher Yadier Molina, out more than a month with a torn ligament in his right thumb, caught a bullpen session Thursday, still with a brace on his thumb, but Molina was able to return throws to the pitcher.

“As expected, he’s pushing this as fast as the medical team will allow,” Matheny said. Originally, Molina, injured on July 9, was expected to be sidelined eight to 12 weeks but he appears ahead of that schedule.