Cardinals C Willson Contreras to IL with forearm fracture

Field Level Media|published: Wed 8th May, 11:48 2024

May 3, 2024; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (40) reacts after hitting a single against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. credits: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals placed catcher Willson Contreras on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a fractured left forearm.

The team recalled backstop Pedro Pages from Triple-A Memphis to replace Contreras, who was struck by the bat of New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez on Tuesday night.

Martinez swung at a pitch in the second inning, and his bat struck Contreras above his glove hand. He was in intense pain as he hobbled around before taking a seat in the dirt in front of the Cardinals' dugout.

Martinez was awarded first base due to catcher's interference and Ivan Herrera replaced Contreras behind the plate.

Contreras, 31, doubled in the first inning and later scored while raising his batting average to .280 in 31 games. He has six homers and 12 RBIs this season.

The three-time All-Star is a career .258 hitter with 143 homers and 444 RBIs in 890 games with the Chicago Cubs (2016-22) and Cardinals.

Pages, 25, made his MLB debut on April 7 and appeared in five games last month. He was 0-for-2 with one RBI.

—Field Level Media