JUPITER, FLORIDA – MARCH 06: Willson Contreras #40 of the St. Louis Cardinals in action against the Houston Astros during the third inning of the game at Roger Dean Stadium on March 06, 2023 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras had to leave his first game with his new team after getting hit in the knee by a pitch.
The St. Louis Cardinals had the unenviable task of replacing catcher Yadier Molina, who retired after 19 years with the only team he played for. The team didn’t have to look far, as they signed former Chicago Cubs backstop Willson Contreras to a five-year, $87.5 million contract. With spring training over, the Cardinals began their journey to contend for a World Series title.
But much like other of the top free agent signings from this past offseason, Contreras had some bad luck on Opening Day.
In the top of the eighth inning, Contreras went to catch a pitch thrown by Jordan Hicks, but it hit him in the right knee guard. Contreras limped after the impact, got checked out by a member of the team’s training staff and eventually was helped to the dugout.
Willson Contreras leaves Cardinals debut with injury
Contreras was ruled out for the remainder of the game with what the Cardinals described as a right knee contusion.
The Cardinals were unable to start off their season with a win, as they lost 10-9. They took a 9-8 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning after third baseman Nolan Arenado hit a ground-rule double, which allowed outfielder Lars Nootbaar and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to score. But in the top of the ninth inning, the Blue Jays took the lead and a win on an RBI single by outfielder George Springer and first baseman Vlad Guerrero Jr.
In his very first game with St. Louis, Contreras went 2-for-4 in the batter’s box. He scored two runs and struck out just once.
St. Louis and Toronto next play on Saturday, Apr. 1 at 2:15 p.m. ET. It will be interesting to see if Contreras will be in the lineup due to his right knee contusion.
