Wilson Contreras has suffered a fracture in his left forearm, which will likely keep him out of action for several weeks. Contreras, Cardinals. Today we will discuss about Willson Contreras fractures left arm on J.D. Martinez swing: INJURED.
Willson Contreras fractures left arm on J.D. Martinez swing: INJURED
Catcher Willson Contreras has been one of the bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season for the St. Louis Cardinals. However, after an unfortunate encounter on Tuesday, it appears that their team may be losing one of their top assets.
During the Cardinals’ game against the New York Mets on Tuesday, Mets slugger J.D. Martinez swung at an inside pitch. While Martínez’s bat traveled away from the ball, it collided with Contreras, who was bent on the wrist behind the plate.
Immediately, the three-time All-Star collapsed, apparently in great pain. Holding his arm, Contreras was led off the field. His team lost to the New York Mets 7–5.
After the game, the Venezuelan catcher was examined which revealed a fracture in his left forearm. Afterward, the St. Louis Cardinals catcher revealed that he immediately knew he had a serious illness on his hands, telling The Athletic:
“I immediately knew I was in a bad situation.”
A longtime member of the Chicago Cubs, Contreras was respected for his catching abilities, won three All-Star awards and played an integral role in Chicago’s run to the 2016 World Series. Ahead of the 2023 season, the 31-year-old signed a five-year contract worth $87.5 million, meaning he will remain a Cardinal until at least 2027.
Now expected to miss 6-8 weeks, Willson Contreras could have a worse outcome. JD Martinez is a former RBI leader with 44 home runs so far in 2021. The rehashed imagery of the exchange has reignited intense debate among observers about the practice of pitch-framing and its associated security consequences.
Now in last place in the NL Central, the Cardinals know offensive production is at a premium. Losing a batsman like Willson Contreras will make things more difficult.
Contreras said after the game that he would likely undergo surgery on his hand in the coming days, and doctors told him it would take six to eight weeks to recover. He’s already targeting the MLB All-Star Game as a potential comeback.
Contreras was replaced by rookie Ivan Herrera during the game. The Cardinals optioned third catcher Pedro Paiges to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday to make room for the return of center fielder Dylan Carlson; Pages was removed from Tuesday night’s Memphis game as a pinch-hitter following Contreras’ injury, and was recalled to serve as the backup catcher behind Herrera for the immediate future.
“[Herrera] came over to ask me how I was feeling, and when I said I had a fracture, he put his head down,” Contreras said. “One thing I told him was, ‘You don’t have to keep your head down; You need to pick me up.’ He’s really good, and he needs to keep the same focus since spring training.
To help Contreras get more low strikeouts for his pitchers, the Cardinals have kept the veteran catcher closer to the plate than in previous years. Contreras has also worked on his body and a knee catch on the ground in hopes of bringing his target down to the ground.
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol acknowledged the risk that comes from positioning catchers closer to hitters.
“It’s a huge risk, and it was talked about in the offseason and it was a topic of discussion because there were more [catcher’s interference calls] because they’re evaluated on framing,” Marmol said. “As close as they are able to get to the hitter to get low pitches, it’s definitely a topic of conversation. The risk is high, and we have just experienced it.”
INJURED
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras is hit by New York Mets batter J.D. Contreras in the second inning at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Head athletic trainer Adam Olsen (R) is carried from the field to the clubhouse after being hit by the bat by Martinez. Louis on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Contreras left the game with a fractured forearm and could be out up to two months. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Left fielder D.J. Stewart led off the second inning and grounded out to Cardinals left fielder Brandon Donovan, bringing Martínez to the plate.
Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas started the exchange with two consecutive balls. Martínez rejected the next offer. Mikolas then threw an 85.2 mph slider.
Contreras extended his gloved left hand to catch the pitch at the same time that Martínez turned. The bat touched Contreras’ arm.
Willson Contreras fractures left arm on J.D. Martinez swing: INJURED
The Cardinals’ catcher, who was called for catcher’s interference, screamed in pain before falling to the ground. After that a trainer took care of him.
He was replaced by Iván Herrera for the remainder of the game.
Contreras went 1 for 1 with one run scored. He is hitting .280 with six home runs and 12 RBI this season.
Mikolas went 2-5 this season, allowing nine hits and six runs in four innings. Herrera struck out 2 for 4 in relief of Contreras. Mets starter Jose Batto gave up five hits and three runs in five innings to earn his first win this season.
Outfielder Brandon Nimmo and first baseman Pete Alonso homered for the Mets.
The Cardinals (15-21) will host the Mets (18-18) in the series finale at 1:15 p.m. EDT on Wednesday in St. Louis.
