Key Takeaways:
– St. Louis Cardinals’ starting catcher, Willson Contreras, suffers a broken arm and is expected to be out for 6-8 weeks.
– Pedro Pagés has been called up from Triple-A Memphis to replace injured Contreras.
– Contreras’ injury worsens the already challenging situation for the Cardinals who have suffered numerous injuries in 2024.
Cardinals’ Plagued With Injuries
In another striking blow for the St. Louis Cardinals, their key player and starting catcher, Willson Contreras, has been injured and is now placed on the injured list. Leaving the game against the New York Mets on May 7, 2024, Contreras suffered a severe arm injury because of a JD Martinez swing in the second inning. The Cardinals have since called up Pedro Pagés, a 25-year-old catcher from Triple-A Memphis, to replace Contreras.
Contreras’ Injury: A Major Impact on Cardinals’ Performance
Considered one of the team’s most consistent hitters in 2024, Contreras’ absence from the field is undoubtedly a massive loss for the Cardinals. He had been hitting at an impressive average of .280, with six home runs and 12 RBI, before the injury. His absence is a significant setback for a team that was struggling with an average of 3.5 runs per game. The severity of the injury, a broken arm, was confirmed through X-rays after the match.
Despite the pain and disappointment, Contreras remained positive and even offered encouragement to Ivan Herrera, the 23-year-old set to take over his duties. With a .232 batting average, three home runs, and 11 RBI in 69 at-bats this season, Herrera has big shoes to fill.
Cardinals’ Slew of Injuries in 2024
Unfortunately, Contreras’ injury is not an isolated incident for the Cardinals this year. The team faced difficulties right at the start of the year, with multiple significant players unable to join the opening day roster due to injuries. Sonny Gray, Cardinals’ staff ace, was among the absent players.
Moreover, Dylan Carlson and Lars Nootbaar, outfielders for the team, missed significant time before their first appearance, and utilityman Tommy Edman has not yet debuted this season. The recent back injury of left-hander Steven Matz, another crucial player, keeps the training staff on high alert.
The barrage of injuries is troubling news for the Cardinals as they were hoping for improvement this season after finishing at 71-91 in 2023. However, their start to the 2024 campaign has been disappointing with a beginning record of 15-21 in their first 36 games, landing them last in the National League Central.
Despite the challenging circumstance, the Cardinals remain undeterred. Manager Oliver Marmol is hopeful about their upcoming seven-game road trip against the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Angels. The team is preparing for a hard battle ahead, keen to overcome their injury setbacks and regain their footing in the league.