Willson Contreras is in his third year with the St. Louis Cardinals, serving as their full-time first baseman for the first time. After spending seven seasons as a catcher and designated hitter with the Chicago Cubs, Contreras signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract with St. Louis in December 2022, which includes an option for a sixth season in 2028. Over his ten-year major league tenure, the 33-year-old has earned three All-Star selections and won a World Series championship during his rookie season with Chicago in 2016.
His experience and veteran leadership have made him a key figure at first base, where the Cardinals rely on his presence both defensively and offensively.
Hit by Paul Skenes and Resulting Injury
On July 1, during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Contreras was hit by a fastball thrown by Paul Skenes, resulting in a contusion to his left hand and forcing him to leave the game. Fortunately, X-rays showed no fractures, and the Cardinals have listed him as day-to-day with bruising. Contreras expressed frustration following the incident, saying,
“Protect myself, and hopefully somebody protects me.”
—Willson Contreras, Cardinals first baseman
Current Season Performance and Team Impact
Contreras currently leads Major League Baseball with 14 hit-by-pitches this season. Through 82 games in 2025, he holds a batting average of .248, with 11 home runs and a .761 OPS—numbers somewhat below his career averages but still valuable for the Cardinals lineup. After their recent 1–0 loss to the Pirates, the Cardinals must cope without their All-Star first baseman. Backup players like Burleson will be tasked with filling the void at first base, testing the team’s depth and resilience. St. Louis remains optimistic about Contreras’ return by the end of the week.
St. Louis Cardinals Look Ahead Without Contreras
The absence of Contreras highlights the importance of roster depth for the Cardinals as they navigate the midseason stretch. His leadership and offensive contributions make him an integral part of the team’s success, and his injury potentially affects their playoff push. The organization’s hope for a quick recovery underscores their reliance on his veteran presence at first base as they continue to compete in a closely contested division.