On July 2, 2018, Molina signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as an international free agent.[1] He made his professional debut the following year, logging a 3.23 ERA in 14 games for the Dominican Summer League Rays. Molina did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]
He returned to action in 2021 with the rookie–level Florida Complex League Rays. In 12 appearances, Molina pitched to a 2.61 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 2 saves across 31 innings.[3] In 2022, he made 29 appearances split between the Single–A Charleston RiverDogs and High–A Bowling Green Hot Rods, accumulating a 14–2 record and 3.10 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 95+2⁄3 innings pitched.[4]
Molina split the 2023 season between the Double–A Montgomery Biscuits and Triple–A Durham Bulls. Working primarily as a starting pitcher, he made 28 appearances (27 starts) and registered a 5–7 record and 4.50 ERA with 102 strikeouts across 122 innings of work.[5]
Colorado Rockies
On December 6, 2023, the Rockies selected Molina from the Rays in the Rule 5 draft.[6][7] After competing for a spot on Colorado's Opening Day roster during spring training,[8] the team announced that he had made the roster.[9] Molina made his MLB debut on March 28, 2024, which was Opening Day.