Former Cubs catcher Willson Contreras breaks his left forearm on Tuesday night originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
Old Chicago puppies and current Saint Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras broke his left forearm when he was hit by a blow during Tuesday night’s 7-5 loss to the New York Mets.
Contreras told reporters he will require surgery and will be out for at least six weeks.
JD Martinez hit Wilson Contreras’ left forearm on his swing. The result was a fracture in his left forearm.
The Cardinals moved Contreras closer to the base in an attempt to get lower pitches, called strikes.
-Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) May 8, 2024
“So right now, I mean, I’m in a lot of pain, but I’m really upset that it’s gone,” Contreras said. “I know it’s going to be difficult for me to watch the games and not be with the guys, but I’m going to do my best to be there, support us and root for them because that’s the best thing I can do.”
Contreras was injured with J.D. Martinez at the plate in the second inning. After being hit by Martinez’s blow, the three-time All-Star fell in obvious pain and ran away before sitting down while being examined by St. Louis’ training staff.
“I hit the flesh,” Martinez said. “I felt like I had been hit in the flesh. I didn’t hit it like a glove where you just point it at the catcher, it was just solid. I was like, man, I hit him good. … I felt terrible.”
Martinez was given first base due to catcher interference. The team said Contreras had a fractured left forearm and Iván Herrera took over.
Contreras said he thought Martinez was a little late on his shot, which led to bad timing.
“I think if he saw the field well, he would try to hit the front a little bit and he wouldn’t hit me,” Contreras said. “I’m not blaming him. He’s doing his thing. Things happen for a reason.”
Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas called Contreras the “beating heart” of the team behind the plate.
“He’s close to the plate trying to steal hits,” Mikolas said. “You know, as pitchers we appreciate that, but you know, if we knew he was going to get hurt, I would rather throw every ball. … 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. This way, no one can get closer than the next person. And if you put them back in a place that’s considered safe, and you know, that might help, guys.”
Contreras doubled and scored during the first three runs for the St. He is hitting .280 with six home runs and 12 RBIs. The 31-year-old is in the second year of a five-year contract worth $87.5 million.
“It’s tough, man,” Cardinals coach Oliver Marmol said. “He has done a phenomenal job. He is an extreme competitor. He brings a lot to the club in terms of performance but also 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 good year and helping us in a lot of ways, so it’s a tough year.”
Before signing a five-year, $87.5 million contract with Cardinals in 2022Contreras spent his entire professional career in the North Zone.
He started five of seven games in the 2016 World Series and earned three All-Star nods (all in the past four seasons) — tied with Hall of Famer Gabby Harnett for the most in team history.
His 117 home runs rank third among catchers in Cubs history, behind Harnett and Jody Davis.
