The 2024 MLB season has not been great for the St. Louis Cardinals to this point, and things got even worse for catcher Willson Contreras on Tuesday night. In the second inning against the New York Mets, the star catcher was involved in a freak accident that will keep him sidelined for weeks.
J.D. Martinez took a swing at a pitch but clipped Willson Contreras, hitting him in the arm. The catcher was in obvious pain as he tumbled to the ground. He attempted to jog it off but was eventually in a sit-down with the team’s training staff.
“I hit meat,” Martinez said. “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.”
Willson Contreras was removed from the game and replaced by Ivan Herrera in the lineup. Herrera could find himself as the starter moving forward, as the St. Louis Cardinals star catcher revealed he needs surgery and is going to be sidelined for 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 St. Louis Cardinals placed Willson Contreras on the 10-day IL and recalled Pedro Pages from Triple-A Memphis to take his place on the roster. Losing him is a huge blow to the team for several reasons.
For a team that has been struggling to produce runs consistently this season, as the Cardinals have the third-fewest runs in MLB, Contreras was someone they could count on. He is hitting .280 on the season with six home runs and 12 RBI.
Starting pitcher Miles Mikolas spoke about what the team will be missing with Contreras sidelined. He referred to the catcher as the team’s “beating heart” and will be tough to replace.
“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. … 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.”
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