The Cardinals came into the 2023 season with a new catcher for the first time in nearly two decades, as Yadier Molina retired last season after 19 years with the ballclub. The replacement came in the form of Willson Contreras, a free agent signee who spent the first seven years of his career with the rival Cubs.
Almost immediately, Contreras caught a rude welcome to St. Louis, leaving Thursday's opener against the Blue Jays during the eighth inning with right knee contusion, according to the team. He was catching fireballer Jordan Hicks and an errant fastball nailed Contreras right on the right knee. He was wearing his catcher's gear, of course, so there was a bit of reprieve thanks to the shin guard that comes up over the knee. Still, it was a 102.7 mph heater that struck the knee. It was such a badly missed spot at such a high velocity that it almost looked like it was a cross up.
Contreras tried to stay in the game, but just couldn't go and had to be replaced by Andrew Knizner behind the plate.
Fortunately, Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said after the game that X-rays came back negative on Contreras' knee. There will be an MRI, but it's possible Contreras will just miss a day or two.
Contreras was in the midst of a productive game, too, as he was 2 for 4 with two runs scored.
The Cardinals had a 7-6 lead when Contreras departed the game, but the two runners on base advanced to second and third on the play and then ended up scoring on a Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. single, giving the Blue Jays an 8-7 lead. The Cardinals then took a 9-8 lead in the bottom of the eighth but the Blue Jays scored two more in the top of the ninth and ended up winning a wild game, 10-9.
