Willson Contreras, the talented catcher for the Chicago Cubs, has been a key player for the team since he first joined their roster in 2016.
However, after a hit to his knee during the team’s Opening Day game against the Blue Jays, Contreras has been sidelined and did not start in the following game.
Fans of the Cubs are likely wondering why Contreras isn’t playing and what this means for the team going forward.
We’ll explore the possible reasons for Contreras’ absence, discuss the impact it could have on the Cubs, and consider what fans can expect from Contreras and the team in the coming days and weeks.
Background
During the Chicago Cubs’ Opening Day game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Willson Contreras was hit in the knee by a fastball thrown by Blue Jays pitcher Jordan Hicks.
The incident occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning when Hicks threw a 100 mph pitch that hit Contreras in the knee as he was catching behind the plate. Contreras immediately went down in pain and was attended to by the Cubs’ training staff before leaving the game.
Following the incident, Contreras underwent an MRI to assess the damage to his knee. While the results of the MRI have not been made public, Cubs manager David Ross has stated that the injury is not believed to be serious and that Contreras is day-to-day.
Despite this, the team has been cautious with Contreras and has given him some time to rest and recover, resulting in him sitting out the following game.
While the injury is not believed to be serious, any injury to a player’s knee can have implications for their future playing time, especially for a catcher like Contreras who spends a lot of time in a squatting position behind the plate.
It’s possible that the Cubs will continue to monitor Contreras closely and limit his playing time in the short term to ensure that he has fully recovered before returning to the lineup.
Possible Reasons for Sitting Out
There are several possible reasons why Willson Contreras is not playing, despite the injury not being considered serious.
First, it’s possible that Contreras is experiencing discomfort or swelling in his knee as a result of the hit he took on Opening Day. This can be common with knee injuries and could make it difficult for Contreras to move and play effectively.
The Cubs may be giving him some time to rest and recover before returning to the lineup to avoid exacerbating the injury or causing further damage.
Second, it’s possible that the team is taking a cautious approach with Contreras to ensure that he doesn’t suffer any further setbacks or exacerbate the injury.
Knee injuries can be notoriously tricky to manage, and the Cubs may be looking to avoid a more serious injury that could keep Contreras out of action for an extended period of time. By giving him some time to rest and recover, they can ensure that he’s fully healthy before returning to the field.
Finally, it’s worth noting that the Cubs have a long season ahead of them, and they’ll want to ensure that Contreras is healthy and available for as much of it as possible.
By sitting him out now, they may be able to avoid a more serious injury later in the season that could keep him out of action for a longer period of time.
This could be particularly important given the important role that Contreras plays on the team as their starting catcher and a key offensive contributor.
Impact on the Team
Willson Contreras is an integral part of the Chicago Cubs lineup, and his absence from the field could have a significant impact on the team’s performance.
As their starting catcher, Contreras is responsible for managing the team’s pitching staff and calling the shots behind the plate. He’s also a strong offensive contributor, with a career batting average of .258 and a career OPS of .785.
In Contreras’ absence, the Cubs will likely turn to backup catcher Tony Wolters to handle the duties behind the plate. While Wolters is a solid defensive catcher, he lacks Contreras’ offensive firepower and may not be as effective at managing the team’s pitching staff.
To fill the void left by Contreras’ absence, the Cubs will need other players to step up and contribute offensively. One player who could do just that is Javier Baez.
Baez is a talented shortstop who has shown the ability to hit for power and get on base consistently throughout his career. He could slide into Contreras’ spot in the lineup and provide some much-needed offensive production for the Cubs.
Another player who could step up in Contreras’ absence is Ian Happ. Happ is a versatile player who can play both the outfield and second base. He’s a strong offensive contributor who has shown the ability to hit for power and get on base consistently.
With Contreras out, Happ could see more playing time and could be called upon to help fill the offensive void left by Contreras’ absence.
Overall, the Cubs will need to rely on a team effort to fill the void left by Contreras’ absence. While no one player can replace his unique combination of offensive and defensive skills, the Cubs have a talented roster that is capable of stepping up and contributing in his absence.
Willson Contreras’ Career Offensive Stats
| Statistic | Career Average |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .258 |
| On-Base Percentage | .342 |
| Slugging Percentage | .470 |
| OPS | .812 |
| Home Runs | 89 |
| RBIs | 287 |
| Runs Scored | 267 |
| Stolen Bases | 16 |
This table displays some of Willson Contreras’ career offensive statistics, including his batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, home runs, RBIs, runs scored, and stolen bases. These stats give an idea of Contreras’ offensive contributions to the Cubs over the course of his career.
FAQs
When is Willson Contreras expected to return to the lineup?
There is no official timeline for Willson Contreras’ return to the lineup. However, the Cubs have stated that his injury is not considered serious, and they are likely taking a cautious approach to ensure that he fully recovers before returning to the field.
How has Tony Wolters performed in Willson Contreras’ absence?
Tony Wolters has been solid defensively behind the plate in Willson Contreras’ absence, but he has struggled at the plate. Through his first few games, he had a batting average of just .083 with no extra-base hits.
Are there any other catchers on the Cubs’ roster who could step in to fill the void left by Contreras’ absence?
The Cubs do have a few other catchers on their roster, including Austin Romine and P.J. Higgins. However, Romine is currently on the injured list, and Higgins has only played sparingly at the major league level.
How important is Willson Contreras to the Cubs’ success?
Willson Contreras is a key player for the Cubs, both offensively and defensively. As their starting catcher, he plays a critical role in managing the team’s pitching staff and calling the shots behind the plate.
He’s also a strong offensive contributor, with a career batting average of .258 and a career OPS of .785. His absence from the lineup could have a significant impact on the team’s performance.
Conclusion
Willson Contreras’ absence from the Chicago Cubs lineup is a cause for concern, given his importance to the team both defensively and offensively. While his injury is not considered serious, the Cubs are likely taking a cautious approach to ensure that he fully recovers before returning to the field.
The team will need to rely on other players to step up and fill the void left by Contreras’ absence. Players like Tony Wolters, Javier Baez, and Ian Happ will be called upon to provide strong defensive play and offensive production to keep the Cubs competitive in his absence.
With a long season ahead, it’s important that the Cubs take the necessary steps to ensure that Contreras is healthy and ready to contribute for the duration of the season.
