JUPITER, Fla. — For several springs now, the St. Louis Cardinals proclaimed plans to rest Yadier Molina more frequently during the season to keep him fresh for a playoff push.

Such ideas always leave the All-Star catcher shaking his head.

“I don’t understand why people want me to be out of the lineup,” Molina said.

He has a point.

Owner of as many Gold Gloves at catcher as he has All-Star appearances — eight — Molina is a hard man to keep in the dugout.

He’s started fewer than 130 games only once since 2009, the exception coming in 2014 when he tore a thumb ligament.

The 35-year-old Molina is the only starting St. Louis position player remaining from the Cardinals’ 2011 World Series championship team. He’s the general, and he’s ready to compete nearly every day.

Despite the keeping fresh talk, a simple philosophy prompts St. Louis manager Mike Matheny to keep writing Molina’s name on the lineup card so often.

“Whoever’s giving us our best chance that day is going to play,” Matheny said. “He looks great. That’s why he works so hard — so I can give that answer.”

Molina’s value is both easily measured and difficult to quantify.

He’s built himself into a middle-of-the-order bat. Four times in the last six seasons, Molina hit better than .300. Last year, he led the Cardinals with 82 RBIs.