At first I assumed Friday afternoon’s surprising news at Busch Stadium could probably just be attributed to some really strong painkillers.
There was catcher Willson Contreras, who just 10 days ago had suffered a fractured left ulna when J.D. Martinez’s swing collided with his outstretched arm, bopping around the clubhouse with nothing but a thin white pad taped over his surgically repaired forearm.
No cast in sight.
Big smile on his face.
“I’m really happy with how the process is going and how well I’m recovering,†Contreras said. “The way I feel, I could say, it’s not going to be (until) the All-Star break. It could be earlier than that. I’m not going to say something that is going to get above the doctors’ opinion, but if you’re asking me how I’m feeling, I’m feeling great.â€
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And no, Contreras confirmed later, he was not talking crazy due to pain pills or some other tranquilizing agent.
He actually doesn’t take painkillers, he said. Never has. Doesn’t like they way they make him feel.
Then the catcher reached for his cellphone.
Contreras opened his photos and navigated to one that showed his arm — the inside of it.
Stretched open with forceps to show the snapped bone, Contreras traced over the clean and even break, which, if you’re going to have to break a bone, is the best way to do it.
Then he showed the metal plate that has been inserted to stabilize his arm.
Contreras got hurt on a Tuesday. He was operated on the next afternoon. His plaster cast was removed Saturday, he said, before his neighbors who hoped to sign it could get their chance.
“He’s not normal,†manager Oli Marmol said. “Very strong human.â€
I know what you are thinking. Here comes another way-too-optimistic Cardinals injury update. Beware the spin zone. Reach for the nearest grain of salt. Scratch that. Grab a shaker of it instead.
Normally, I’d agree.
I’m almost always among the first to pump the brakes on happy talk related to sprains and strains and broken bones, especially ones in the hands and arms of men who have to hit high-velocity pitches with wooden clubs.
The Cardinals often are guilty of pumping unnecessary sunshine about injuries, getting fan’s hopes up only to be disappointed when reality strikes. We don’t have to dig into past seasons for examples. This season already has three.
Tommy Edman was supposed to be back and starting in center field by the time games started counting following his offseason wrist operation. He’s still out.
Keynan Middleton’s spring training forearm setback wasn’t supposed to be severe. He’s still missing from the bullpen.
Steven Matz wasn’t supposed to miss much time from the rotation. He’s still shut down from throwing and Matthew Liberatore has unfortunately been forced from the bullpen to the rotation to take Matz’s place indefinitely.
So, if you want to hear no good news about Contreras, I get it. But I wouldn’t be quick to lump this player in with the crowd. Catchers are tough by nature, but Contreras is one of the tougher ones. He’s on the Yadier Molina scale of being able to shake off minor bumps and bruises completely and rush back from significant injuries sooner than most could or would.
The initial timetable for Contreras’ absence was 6-8 weeks.
I actually think it’s more encouraging the Cardinals are not updating anything just yet.
“This is a process and we’ll continue to monitor it to see how quickly his return can be,†Marmol said. “We’re still at the beginning stages of that.â€
Contreras said he has never broken a bone before, which is almost hard to believe considering the punishing nature of his craft. The Cardinals may need to protect him from himself as this progresses. Good luck with that.
Contreras said his lack of pain after the surgery to install the plate and screws has pleasantly surprised him. He’s already working with the medical team to find ways to keep his cardio in motion. He wants to track pitches as soon as cleared to do so in order to help his chances of picking up a .950 on-base plus slugging percentage where he left it. Even if he’s able to come back sooner than most figured, he still has weeks of waiting. That doesn’t mean not contributing, in his eyes.
“I can be present in every game,†Contreras said. “I need to find a way to stay present, let them know I’m here for everybody. If anybody needs something, they can come up to me and ask. That’s the best way I can do it.â€
I don’t like leaning into happy injury talk, but I’ve learned you don’t bet against Contreras’ toughness.
If he says he may be back before the All-Star break, I’ll buy that potential.
If his teammates aren’t fired up to make sure there’s a postseason shot to play for when that time comes, they’re not paying much attention to an example being set by a player who has poured all of himself into his job since he got here.