In a devastating turn of events, former Chicago Cubs catcher and current St. Louis Cardinals backstop Willson Contreras suffered a broken left forearm during Tuesday night’s game against the New York Mets. The injury occurred in the second inning when Contreras was hit by a swing from teammate J.D. Martinez. The three-time All-Star immediately tumbled over in pain and was promptly examined by the Cardinals’ training staff.
According to Contreras himself, he will require surgery and is expected to miss at least six weeks. “So right now I mean, I’m in pain pretty good, but I’m really upset missing,” Contreras said. “I know that it’s going to be tough for me to watch the games and not out there with the guys, but I’m going to do my best to stay present, pick each other up and cheer for them because that’s the best thing I can do.”
The Incident
The injury occurred with J.D. Martinez at the plate in the second inning. After Contreras was clipped by Martinez’s swing, he collapsed in obvious pain before jogging away and sitting down to be examined by the team’s medical staff. Martinez was visibly shaken by the incident, saying, “I hit meat. I felt like I hit meat. I didn’t hit like just like a glove where you kind of just point back to catcher, it was just solid. I was like, dude, I hit him good. … I felt terrible.”
As a result of the contact, Martinez was awarded first base due to catcher’s interference. The Cardinals later confirmed that Contreras had suffered a left forearm fracture, with Iván Herrera taking over behind the plate for the remainder of the game.
Contreras’ Thoughts on the Incident
Reflecting on the play, Contreras believed that Martinez’s timing was slightly off, leading to the unfortunate collision. “I think if he sees the pitch well, he’d try to hit a little up front and he wouldn’t hit me,” Contreras said. “I’m not blaming him. He’s doing his thing. Things happen for a reason.”
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Contreras remained level-headed and understanding, acknowledging that incidents like these are part of the game.
The Impact on the Cardinals
The loss of Contreras is a significant blow to the Cardinals, as he has been a key contributor both on and off the field. Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas referred to Contreras as the team’s “beating heart” behind the plate, praising his ability to steal strikes for his pitchers.
“He’s close to the plate trying to steal strikes,” Mikolas said. “You know, as pitchers we appreciate that, but you know, if we knew he was going to get hurt, I’d rather throw all balls.”
Mikolas also suggested that implementing a safe distance line for catchers could help prevent similar incidents in the future. “Thinking about it after the fact, I think there should be a line back there, you know, for the catchers and just have them stay behind the line. That way, no one can get any closer than the next guy. And if you put them back there in a spot that’s deemed safe, and you know, that might help guys.”
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol echoed the sentiment of Contreras’ importance to the team, saying, “It’s a tough one, man. He’s been doing such a phenomenal job. He’s an extreme competitor. He brings so much to the club performance-wise, but also with just his competitive nature, so to see him go down is tough. I feel for him, I really do. He was putting together a really nice year and helping us in a lot of ways so it’s a tough one.”
Prior to the injury, Contreras was hitting an impressive .280 with six home runs and 12 RBIs. The 31-year-old is in the second year of a five-year, $87.5 million contract with the Cardinals.
Contreras’ Legacy with the Chicago Cubs
Before signing with the Cardinals in 2022, Contreras spent his entire professional career with the Chicago Cubs. He played a crucial role in the Cubs’ historic 2016 World Series championship run, starting five of the seven games in the series.
Throughout his tenure with the Cubs, Contreras earned three All-Star starting nods, all coming in the last four seasons. This feat ties him with Hall of Famer Gabby Harnett for the most in Cubs history among catchers.
Contreras also etched his name in the Cubs’ record books, with his 117 home runs ranking third among catchers in the franchise’s history, trailing only Harnett and Jody Davis.
Looking Ahead
As Contreras faces a lengthy recovery process, the Cardinals will need to rely on their depth to fill the void left by their star catcher. Iván Herrera, who took over for Contreras following the injury, will likely see increased playing time in the coming weeks.
The Cardinals’ coaching staff and players will undoubtedly rally around Contreras, providing support and encouragement as he works his way back to the field. As Contreras mentioned, he plans to stay present and cheer on his teammates during his absence, embodying the leadership and competitive spirit that has made him such a valuable asset to the team.
While the road to recovery may be challenging, Willson Contreras has proven himself to be a resilient and determined player throughout his career. His teammates, coaches, and fans alike will eagerly await his return, knowing that he will come back stronger than ever, ready to contribute to the Cardinals’ success once again.
Key Takeaways
- Former Cubs catcher and current Cardinals backstop Willson Contreras suffered a broken left forearm after being hit by a swing from teammate J.D. Martinez.
- Contreras is expected to undergo surgery and miss at least six weeks.
- The incident occurred in the second inning of Tuesday night’s game against the New York Mets.
- Contreras’ injury is a significant blow to the Cardinals, as he has been a key contributor both on and off the field.
- Before joining the Cardinals, Contreras spent his entire professional career with the Chicago Cubs, playing a crucial role in their 2016 World Series championship and earning three All-Star starting nods.
