The St. Louis Cardinals were stunned Tuesday night after catcher Willson Contreras was drilled in the left wrist by a 99 mph fastball from Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes, sending shockwaves through the dugout and the entire fanbase.
As Contreras crumpled slightly and clutched his wrist, the game’s energy shifted instantly. The All-Star catcher, vital to the Cardinals’ playoff hopes, was in visible pain but chose to finish the game — a testament to his grit, but a worrying sign for a team already teetering on the edge.
“He’s Our Heartbeat — This Could Change Everything”
Contreras underwent X-rays immediately after the game, which fortunately came back negative for any fractures, but he was diagnosed with a painful hand contusion. Still, questions swirl around how long the slugger might be sidelined and what this could mean for the Cardinals’ tight race in the NL Central.
This is not the first time Contreras has been struck this season. His ability to stay healthy has become a major concern, especially with the Cardinals already navigating injuries across the lineup.
Contreras has been one of the few consistent offensive weapons for St. Louis this season.
He’s slashing .249/.339/.422 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs — numbers not easily replaced.
With Iván Herrera already on the IL, the timing couldn’t be worse.
The Cardinals are now forced to shuffle the roster. Utility players may have to step up, but as one scout put it, “There is no replacing Contreras’s firepower and leadership in the clutch.”
The team listed him as day-to-day, but insiders suggest he may miss several games depending on swelling and grip strength. With the trade deadline looming and the Cardinals clinging to playoff contention, President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak may be forced into a decision sooner than expected.
For now, all eyes are on Contreras — and whether his iron will can overcome yet another bruise in a brutal season.