Full Breakdown
Willson Contreras Leaves Red Sox Game After HBP
5/11/2026, 9:37:24 PM
Game Incident
On May 11, 2026, Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras was struck on the right hand by a fastball from Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nick Martinez in the first inning. Contreras winced, shook his hand in pain, and halted midway between home plate and first base. He completed his at-bat but did not return. Andruw Monasterio entered at first base at the start of the second frame. Boston lost 4–1.
Season Context
Contreras entered the 2026 season after a trade from the St. Louis Cardinals and has become a power source for Boston, leading the team with eight home runs and 23 RBIs while batting .259 in 39 games. The hit marked his eighth HBP of the season, tying him with JJ Wetherholt and Ivan Herrera for the MLB lead and extending his reputation as a frequent plunker.
Performance Data
- Batting line: .259/.380/.467, 8 HR, 23 RBI, 20 walks.
- Defensive: 4 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) at first base, 5 Outs Above Average (OAA) in the 98th percentile.
- Injury: right-hand contusion; X-rays and scans negative for fracture.
Team Update
Interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed the imaging scans were negative and described the injury as a sore contusion. He noted the Red Sox have an off-day on Monday, allowing staff to reassess Contreras’s condition and decide whether he can return or will need an injured-list stint.
Plate Crowding Concerns
Contreras’s habit of crowding the plate—carried over from his former catcher role—enhances his on-base chances but also raises the likelihood of being hit by pitches. This approach, while productive, poses a recurring injury risk that could affect Boston’s lineup depth, especially with Roman Anthony already on the IL.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The quick scans that we do here came back negative, which is good,” — Chad Tracy, Interim Manager, Boston Red Sox
- “Sore. That’s all we know at this point. ... We’ll kind of re-evaluate him (Monday) and the next day and see how he feels.” — Chad Tracy, Interim Manager, Boston Red Sox
- “That’s all we know at this point.” — Chad Tracy, Interim Manager, Boston Red Sox
- “And then we'll kind of reevaluate (Monday) and the next and see how he feels.” — Chad Tracy, Interim Manager, Boston Red Sox
Next Steps
Boston will monitor Contreras on Monday’s off-day and on Tuesday before deciding on his roster status. If the contusion proves minor, he could rejoin the lineup; otherwise, the team may place him on the injured list, further testing the Red Sox’s offensive depth.
