Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras speaks with the media on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, after a series-clinching win over the Brewers at Busch Stadium. (Video by Ethan Erickson, Post-Dispatch)
MINNEAPOLIS — As his finger started to stiffen and the pain intensify, Willson Contreras plunged his right hand into ice Saturday night at Target Field, and still he could not defy what he had predicted the moment he left the batter’s box.
He told the Twins catcher he fractured his finger.
A second bad break to his season but the remainder of it in doubt.
The Cardinals catcher and designated hitter fractured the middle finger on his right hand when struck by a pitch Saturday night. He will go on the injured list as early as Sunday morning when catcher Ivan Herrera is expected to join the team from Class AAA Memphis ahead of the series finale vs. the Twins. It is the second time this season that Contreras has had a fracture put him on the IL.
“I think it’s God’s plan. That’s all I can say,†Contreras said late Saturday night after the team’s 6-0 loss to Minnesota. “I’ve been healthy all year — just two fractures. My body feels good. My hip is not bothering me this year. My legs feel fresh. My upper body feels good. I just think I’m not lucky this year, to be honest. It’s part of baseball. Not having good luck on my side this year.â€
Contreras will have another scan taken of the finger Monday to determine the extent of the damage and establish a possible timetable for a return.
With fewer than 40 games remaining, it’s possible the next time he catches a pitch for the Cardinals is during spring training 2025.
“It’s been a tough year,†manager Oliver Marmol said. “He’s been beat up quite a bit. He’s fought through a lot of it. He’s played through some pain.â€
While catching Friday night’s win against the Twins, Contreras had to take a break a few pitches into the game when a pitch gave his left hand a buzzing sensation. He’s had that a few times — as catchers often do. It clears and he’s able to hit and catch, and on Friday once he took a few minutes to let it calm he caught the remaining nine innings of a victory. He was instrumental in the 6-1 win with his baserunning as well as his play behind the plate.
A designated hitter on Saturday, Contreras led off the fourth inning and was struck by a 95-mph fastball from Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez. The pitch appeared to pinball off of Contreras’ left hand and into the right hand, but Contreras said later that the pitch drilled straight into the middle finger. As he started walking toward first base, he told Minnesota catcher Christian Vazquez that the finger was broken.
When the inning ended, Contreras knew he would have difficulty gripping a bat and tried to calm the finger with ice.
“Tried to make it feel better, but, not, it got worse,†Contreras said. “It was bad. It was really painful.â€
An X-ray taken at the ballpark during the game revealed the fracture.
Earlier this season, a swing dropped a bat on Contreras’ left forearm and fractured a bone. That injury, which required surgery, caused him to miss more than a month. When he went on the IL in May he was leading the team in OPS and likely on his way to an All-Star Game nod for the first time as a Cardinal. Upon his return, he again has been one of the team’s leading hitters during a time the offense has struggled to keep the Cardinals above .500, let alone contending for a playoff spot.
Contreras .849 OPS leads the Cardinals regulars, and his production at the plate has been 36% better than league average. He has added 15 homers and 36 RBIs to a .470 slugging percentage.
“He went down the first time, and he was leading the team in hitting,†Marmol said. “He goes down now and he’s it again. I feel sorry for him because he puts in a town of work. This is a guy who has been so diligent with what he’s trying to do behind the plate. He’s taking huge steps in the right direction. To see him go down right in the middle of this is frustrating. It really is.â€
At about the same time Contreras was getting an X-ray on his finger, catcher Pedro Pages was doubled over behind the plate trying to flex his jaw and regain his breath.
A wild pitch skipped off the ground and struck Pages in the exposed neck between his pads and mask. He was able to remain in the game, but the Cardinals had started to make plans if they needed to use an emergency catcher. Brendan Donovan has donned the gear previously this season to prepare for such a call. He was not likely to leave second base Saturday night in the shutout loss. Luken Baker was the most likely option as he had some catching experience as an amateur and was on the bench about to enter the game.
Pending his availability, Pages will see increased starts due to his performance behind the plate and his collaborations with the pitchers.
Herrera, 24, returned to Class AAA Memphis this season to work on his consistency behind the plate and how he restricts opponents’ running game on the bases. He remains a standout prospect at the plate. Herrera had two hits and a home run in a game this past week for the Triple-A Redbirds. In 27 games for Memphis, he’s batting .280 with a .402 on-base percentage and a .473 slugging percentage.
When he arrives, a teammate said he’ll be waiting to help.
“The game is still going on,†Contreras said. “There are a lot of games left. My job now is to recover from my finger and stay present for the guys and be there for them.â€
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II crashes into the outfield wall after catching a line-out hit by Minnesota Twins' Jose Miranda to end the bottom of the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II catches a line out hit by Minnesota Twins' Jose Miranda to end the bottom of the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo López delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo López delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Twins' Austin Martin, right, beats the tag by ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn after hitting a double during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
The Cardinals' Alec Burleson throws his bat after striking out to end the top of the third inning against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Twins' Trevor Larnach celebrates with Austin Martin and Willi Castro, right, after hitting a 3-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray, second from left, stands on the mound with teammates as pitching coach Dusty Blake (90) comes to talk during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray adjusts his cap after a three-run home run by the Twins’ Trevor Larnach during the third inning Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Twins' Trevor Larnach hits a 3-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray walks across the mound after a three-run home run by Minnesota Twins' Trevor Larnach during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
The Twins’ Austin Martin, right, beats the tag by Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn after hitting a double during the third inning Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals' Victor Scott II walks back to the dugout after being picked off at third base during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Twins' Matt Wallner celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Twins' Trevor Larnach watches his three-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Twins' Trevor Larnach runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals relief pitcher Kyle Leahy stands on the mound after a solo home run by Minnesota Twins' Matt Wallner during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II crashes into the outfield wall after catching a line-out hit by Minnesota Twins' Jose Miranda to end the bottom of the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II catches a line out hit by Minnesota Twins' Jose Miranda to end the bottom of the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo López delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo López delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Minnesota Twins' Austin Martin, right, beats the tag by ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn after hitting a double during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Cardinals' Alec Burleson throws his bat after striking out to end the top of the third inning against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Minnesota Twins' Trevor Larnach celebrates with Austin Martin and Willi Castro, right, after hitting a 3-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray, second from left, stands on the mound with teammates as pitching coach Dusty Blake (90) comes to talk during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray adjusts his cap after a three-run home run by the Twins’ Trevor Larnach during the third inning Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Minnesota Twins' Trevor Larnach hits a 3-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray walks across the mound after a three-run home run by Minnesota Twins' Trevor Larnach during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Twins’ Austin Martin, right, beats the tag by Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn after hitting a double during the third inning Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr, ASSOCIATED PRESS
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals' Victor Scott II walks back to the dugout after being picked off at third base during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Minnesota Twins' Matt Wallner celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Minnesota Twins' Trevor Larnach watches his three-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Twins' Trevor Larnach runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals relief pitcher Kyle Leahy stands on the mound after a solo home run by Minnesota Twins' Matt Wallner during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Minneapolis.