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Contreras Exits After 94-mph Sinker Injures Hand

5/11/2026

40 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Contreras Hand Injury

Willson Contreras left the game after a 94.2 mph sinker struck his hand, causing a contusion.
Interim manager Chad Tracy said scans were clear and X-rays were scheduled despite soreness.
Contreras is batting .259/.380/.467 with eight homers, 23 RBIs, a .842 OPS and eight hit-by-pitches, matching the league lead.
He is under a contract through 2027 with a 2028 option worth $87.5 million, signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Summary

Contreras Moves First

Contreras has transitioned permanently from catcher to first base, a move the club says eases defensive wear.
He posted a 1.5 WAR this season, ranking among the highest for Red Sox position players and highlighting his offensive value despite the injury.
The Red Sox front office notes that Contreras has been hit by a pitch at least once each season since his debut.

Summary

Contreras Exit

Willson Contreras left the Red Sox game early after a hand injury from an inside pitch.
He said his batting stance makes him especially vulnerable to inside pitches.
Fans were criticized for mocking Contreras following the injury.
Team doctors will perform an MRI to determine if a fracture exists.
If no fracture is found, he could return within one to two days, highlighting a league-wide increase in inside pitching.

History

Historical Context

In 2011 Jarrod Saltalamacchia fractured his hand after a 95-mph inside pitch, prompting MLB to issue a 2012 safety advisory on inside-pitch hand injuries. The same vulnerability resurfaced when former Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras, now with the Red Sox, exited after a 94.2-mph sinker struck his hand. These incidents echo MLB’s long-standing struggle to balance aggressive pitching with player protection.

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Contreras Hand Injury

Willson Contreras left the game after a 94.2 mph sinker struck his hand, causing a contusion.
Interim manager Chad Tracy said scans were clear and X-rays were scheduled despite soreness.
Contreras is batting .259/.380/.467 with eight homers, 23 RBIs, a .842 OPS and eight hit-by-pitches, matching the league lead.
He is under a contract through 2027 with a 2028 option worth $87.5 million, signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.

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