Accidentally hit by Paul Skenes' high-speed pitch, Cardinals player escapes serious injury
Willson Contreras, the three-time All-Star first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, was hit by a 99 mph pitch during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 1, 2025. The fastball, delivered by Paul Skenes, resulted in a contusion on Contreras' left hand/wrist. X-rays taken after the incident showed no fractures, and he was diagnosed with a left hand contusion [1][2][4].
Contreras, who has been in fine form this season, was immediately removed from the game and did not play on July 2. His status was officially listed as "day-to-day" [1][4]. Prior to the injury, he had played 82 games this season with a .248 batting average, 11 home runs, and 51 RBIs, and was performing well recently with an OPS of .863 over his last 10 games [3].
Contreras' absence comes at a tough time for the Cardinals, who were already struggling offensively. The team was shut out in the first two games of the series against the Pittsburgh Pirates following his injury [1]. His offensive contributions, particularly against left-handed pitching where he boasts a 137 wRC+ [6], are a significant weapon for the Cardinals.
Alec Burleson could potentially slide into Contreras' defensive role, but his absence creates more questions for the Cardinals' lineup. The team is already without their best hitter, Ivan Herrera, and one of their few other right-handed bats, Jordan Walker [7].
The impact of Contreras' injury and Herrera's absence could potentially zap the Cardinals of their momentum and make it difficult to continue their positive trajectory on the season. The decision to wait to pull Contreras from the game, potentially due to a questionable send from third base coach Pop Warner that resulted in Contreras being thrown out at home, has added to the confusion [8].
Contreras' injury history includes multiple absences due to being hit by pitches. In 2024, he missed significant time after being hit on the hand by Pablo Lopez and having his forearm crushed by J.D. Martinez's swing [9]. The Cardinals are hoping he will be ready to return shortly, ideally after the upcoming off day, but his minutes and role may be limited until he fully recovers from the hand contusion and shoulder discomfort [1][5].
[1] - https://www.mlb.com/news/willson-contreras-injury-update-cardinals-first-baseman-hit-by-pitch-against-pirates/vpp778809024 [2] - https://www.stlouiscardinals.com/news/willson-contreras-x-ray-results-come-back-negative-after-being-hit-by-pitch [3] - https://www.stlouiscardinals.com/stats/batting/player/willson-contreras/2025 [4] - https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/team/injuries [5] - https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinals/willson-contreras-day-to-day-with-left-hand-contusion/article_5c66896c-0d9f-5a3f-8e98-c5b927e1878f.html [6] - https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=1b&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2025&month=0&season1=2025&ind=1&team=1&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0 [7] - https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinals/cardinals-lose-ivans-herrera-to-broken-hand-willson-contreras-hit-by-pitch/article_8b80e42e-9e7b-5d1a-b81a-78206f2a1d8d.html [8] - https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinals/willson-contreras-injured-in-pirates-game-garrett-hampson-scores-on-play/article_25a4c124-1981-54d1-9c8f-6e124b846903.html [9] - https://www.mlb.com/news/willson-contreras-day-to-day-with-left-hand-contusion/vpp782603879
Sports fans are concerned about Willson Contreras' injury, as the MLB first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals was hit by a 99 mph pitch during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 1, 2025. With Contreras out of the lineup due to a left hand contusion, the Cardinals are missing one of their key offensive contributors, particularly against left-handed pitching, making it challenging for the team to continue their positive trajectory in baseball games.
