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Cardinals Announce Willson Contreras News After Leaving Pirates Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jacob Webb | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 10:02 PM ET

Willson Contreras stepped to the plate to lead off the fourth inning of a game between the Cardinals and Pirates on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh. With Pirates' ace Paul Skenes on the mound and the count at 2-2, the Cardinals' first baseman was drilled in the hand by a 99 mph fastball.

After a lengthy conversation at first base with manager Oli Marmol and athletic trainer Adam Olsen, Contreras remained in the game. Just a few minutes later, though, he was thrown out at home plate to end the half inning.

Contreras was then pulled from the game and taken back for X-rays. As a result, Garrett Hampson entered to play right field, and Alec Burleson took over at first base.

Luckily for the Cardinals, the X-rays on Contreras's left hand came back negative. Team officials announced that he is just dealing with bruising and will be considered day to day.

Willson Contreras returned from X-rays, and the #stlcards have diagnosed him with bruising. The X-rays did not show any fracture, per team official. He is being called "day to day". #cardinals
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 2, 2025

The Cardinals have a day game in Pittsburgh tomorrow, followed by an off day on Thursday. St. Louis will travel to Chicago for a three-game series with the Cubs this weekend.

With the hit-by-pitch tonight, Contreras is now tied for the league lead, as he's been hit 14 times this year. He was hit in the hand just last Thursday in the ninth inning of a game against the Cubs.

The Cardinals can't afford to lose Contreras for an extended period of time, as they are already without fellow right-handed hitters Iván Herrera and Nolan Arenado, who is listed as day to day with a hand injury of his own.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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