Cubs to monitor Willson Contreras after taking a pitch off his wrist

The Cubs’ 2-1 victory over the Cardinals Sunday night came with some pain for Willson Contreras, as the backstop was hit in the wrist while trying to catch a pitch from Craig Kimbrel in the 10th inning. Contreras remained in the game after being checked out by trainers, though Cubs manager David Ross told reporters, including MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian, that he initially was worried that Contreras had broken his wrist.

While it seems like the worst has been avoided, Contreras could possibly sit out Chicago’s next game on Tuesday against the Pirates for precautionary reasons, and an injured-list trip probably shouldn’t be ruled out given the vagaries of wrist injuries.  

This would create a vacuum behind the plate for the Cubs, as normal backup Austin Romine is on the 60-day IL due to a sprained wrist. Rookie P.J. Higgins is current acting as Contreras’ backup, and veterans Tony Wolters and Jose Lobaton are at Triple-A but not on the 40-man roster — Wolters was only just outrighted off the 40-man on Saturday.

More on other injury situations from around baseball..

• There isn’t much new on George Springer’s status, as Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo told reporters, including Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith, that Springer is “improving” but there isn’t yet any sense of when the outfielder might begin a rehab assignment or be ready to rejoin the lineup. Springer is, however, accompanying the Jays on their upcoming road trip. Due to an oblique strain and a pair of quad strains, Springer has played in only four games for Toronto this season.
• The Royals moved Hunter Dozier from the seven-day concussion IL to the regular 10-day IL, which could be a hint that he is nearing a return to the lineup. Dozier went to the seven-day IL on May 14 after a collision with Jose Abreu on the base paths, so he has already been absent for the minimum 10 days and could be activated as early as tomorrow when the Royals begin a series against the Rays. Dozier has already played in two Triple-A rehab games. Over 124 plate appearances this season, Dozier has yet to get going, as he has hit only .139/.202/.339 with five homers.