The St. Louis Cardinals will playground veteran catcher Willson Contreras at the injured record with tendonitis in his left wrist, supervisor Oli Marmol instructed newshounds Thursday. Contreras, who exited Wednesday’s game within the 7th inning, will pass over the residue week-plus of the common season. In alternative phrases, this closes the accumulation on his first 12 months as a member of the Cardinals.
Contreras, 31, signed a five-year pact use just about $90 million with the Cardinals terminating December to prevail franchise legend Yadier Molina. Most likely predictably, given Molina’s legacy, there have been some bumps alongside the best way. Certainly, Contreras was once relieved of his establishing catcher tasks in early Might nearest the pitching personnel took exception together with his game-calling alternatives. On the era, the underperforming Cardinals steered they might get him paintings within the outfield.
That plan by no means materialized, on the other hand, and Contreras was once reinstalled at the back of the plate simply over a life after, on Might 15. He’ll end the season having made 97 appearances at catcher — or, 25 greater than he made in 2022 as a member of the Chicago Cubs. (To be honest, he gave the impression in 12 extra video games general in 2023.)
Obviously the Cardinals turned into extra happy with Contreras’ protection because the 12 months improved, however the quantifiable facets of his competition nonetheless graded as under common. He ranked 9th percentile in framing, in addition to the thirty fourth percentile in blocking off. He did rank within the 87th percentile in stuck stealing price.
Contreras additionally persisted to form offensively at well-above-average ranges. He collision .264/.358/.467 (125 OPS+) with 20 house runs and 67 RBI. The ones marks have been proper in form with how he carried out in 2022, when he made his 3rd occupation All-Superstar Recreation look.
Contreras can simplest hope that his 2nd season with the Cardinals is smoother than his first — and, in all probability on a indistinguishable word, that the staff is extra a hit.
