Team places catcher Willson Contreras on injury list
St. Louis Cardinals First Watch Willson Contreras Injured, Future Uncertain
The St. Louis Cardinals' season is taking a turn for the worse, with the team currently in fourth place in the NL Central and unlikely to make the playoffs for the first time since 2023. Adding to their woes, star first watch Willson Contreras has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain.
Contreras, who has expressed his desire to remain with the Cardinals for the rebuilding process, has been transitioning to first base and designated hitter this year. His last appearance was on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds.
The injury is retroactive to September 16, and Contreras sustained a contusion on his right foot in August. In late August, he received a six-game suspension for throwing a bat at his own coach, which was later reduced to two games.
Contreras's future with the Cardinals is uncertain, as he may be traded in the offseason. Rumblings of the Cardinals looking to trade Contreras have circulated for some time, but his no-trade clause in his contract has prevented any deals so far.
In early August, Contreras joined Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas in not waiving their no-trade clauses in their contracts before the July 31 trade deadline. This decision may have saved Contreras from being traded during the season, as his desire to remain with the Cardinals also played a part in the decision.
Contreras's statistics this season have been impressive, with 126 hits, 20 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 70 runs scored, resulting in a batting average of .257.
To replace Contreras, the Cardinals have recalled Jose Fermin from Triple-A Memphis. Despite the setbacks, the team is hopeful that Contreras will return to full health in time for the 2026 season, where he has stated his intention to start as the Cardinals' first watch.
However, the Cardinals are poised to end the season on a sour note, with Contreras's recent incidents, including the benches-clearing incident between the Cardinals and the San Diego Padres in July, casting a shadow over the team's performance.
As the season comes to a close, the focus for the Cardinals will be on rebuilding and regaining their form for the 2026 season. Whether Contreras will be a part of that rebuilding process remains to be seen.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
