ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports that the Rays are closing in on a potential two-year contract with free agent Jose Molina. The pact would run this his age-40 season. Molina has posted a meager .616 OPS over the past two seasons, but his defense is superb. He's the type of player who is far more valuable in real life than in fantasy baseball.

Jose Molina is back in the starting lineup Friday against the Twins. Molina was away from the team on Thursday in order to be with his mother after surgery. He'll bat eighth and catch Chris Archer in his return to action.

Jose Molina is expected to rejoin the Rays on Friday. Molina traveled to St. Louis after his mother had surgery on Wednesday. However, it sounds like he should be back when the Rays open a series against the Twins in Minnesota.

Jose Molina is not with the Rays on Thursday night due to a private family situation. Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and Cardinals assistant hitting coach Bengie Molina -- brothers of Jose -- have also been excused for the next couple of days.

Jose Molina blasted a two-run home run, helping to power the Rays to an 8-3 victory over the White Sox on Friday. Molina finished the night 1-for-4 plus a walk and a pair of runs scored. His two-run blast off Dylan Axelrod got the Rays on the board in their five-run second inning, and would prove to be all of the support that Jeremy Hellickson and company would need. The defensive minded backstop is now hitting .260 with two homers and 10 RBI on the season.

Jose Molina went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Sunday's victory against the Yankees. A rare offensive outburst for the game's premier pitch framer. Molina, a far, far better real-life player than fantasy contributor, is batting .271 to go with one homer and eight RBI over 133 at-bats, which makes him a second catcher in AL-only formats.

Jose Molina (hamstring) is back in Wednesday's lineup against the Blue Jays. Molina hasn't played since Saturday due to a tight left hamstring. The Rays are hoping that the issue is behind him.

Jose Molina (hamstring) is not in the Rays' starting lineup on Tuesday night against the Blue Jays. Molina hasn't played since Saturday because of a tight left hamstring. It's not thought to be a serious injury.

Jose Molina (hamstring) is available on Monday and is expected to return to the starting lineup Tuesday. Molina sat out Sunday and is not in Monday's batting order against the Blue Jays due to some left hamstring tightness. It's not a serious concern for the Rays.

Jose Molina said he was "OK" after Saturday's game after exiting due to left hamstring tightness. It also sounds like Molina could be in the lineup Sunday. Either way, he's just day-to-day and nothing more at this point.