Mar 30, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (40) is helped off the field by a trainer after taking a ball off the the knee during the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras left his debut game with the team due to a knee injury. The team received a positive update one day later.
The St. Louis Cardinals lost their first game of the 2023 season Toronto Blue Jays by the score of 10-9 in a thrilling back-and-forth contest. But during the game, the Cardinals watched as top free agent signing Willson Contreras got helped to the locker room.
The injury occurred in the eighth inning, when a pitch thrown by Jordan Hicks hit Contreras in his right knee guard. He left the game with what the team called a right knee contusion.
Cardinals fans are curious whether Contreras is set to hit the injured list.
On Friday, the Cardinals announced that Contreras is deemed day-to-day after undergoing tests. So, he won’t be heading to IL.
Cardinals: Willson Contreras avoids trip on IL after knee injury
This is certainly good news for the Cardinals, as their starting catcher won’t be sidelined for a lengthy amount of time. But, his status will be worth monitoring in the coming days, especially as they resume their series against the Blue Jays on Saturday and Sunday.
As for who would fill in for Contreras, it will be Andrew Knizer. The 28-year-old not only replaced Contreras in St. Louis’ Opening Day game, but he is the only catcher behind him on the depth chart.
Contreras was brought in by the Cardinals after spending his career with the rival Chicago Cubs. With Yadier Molina retiring at the end of last season, the Cardinals made the big leap to sign Contreras, who was the top catcher available in the offseason, to a five-year, $87.5 million contract.
In his first game with the Cardinals, Contreras went 2-for-4 in the batter’s box and scored two runs.