St. Louis Cardinals Catcher Willson Contreras is optimistic about his broken arm’s recovery and about how his team is performing since the injury. When a swing from J.D. Martinez fractured Contreras’ arm on May 8th, the Cardinals were in a bad spot that looked like it was getting worse. A win streak in the days since has changed the complexion of their season and Contreras feels he is not far out from rejoining the team.
“If it was my decision, I would say I’d aim for mid-June, I’m not going to go above the doctor’s head, but I’m feeling really well and I’m feeling really positive about it,” Contreras told the Fox Sports broadcast during an in-game interview on May 25.
The latest On Willson’s Injury
Contreras had a plate put onto his broken forearm within days of the fracture. He is now wearing a plastic cover over the incision site. Contreras has resumed conditioning drills to stay in shape and ready for a return. The initial timeline for his return was at the All-Star Break in mid-July. However, he’s optimistic he can come back before that.
“The way I feel I would say it’s not going to be All-Star Break; it could be earlier than that. I’m not going to say something that’s going to get over the doctor’s opinion. but if you ask me how I feel I feel great,” Contreras told reporters on May 17. “The trainers are telling me that it’s expected to be healing pretty good, not this fast, but really good. So, I’m really happy with how the process is going and how well I’m recovering from that injury.”
Willson Contreras is feeling great after forearm surgery: “The way I feel, I could say it’s not going to be All-Star break (for a return date). It could be earlier than that.” #STLCards pic.twitter.com/PlyyYFHOrw
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) May 18, 2024
Contreras is lobbying trainers to let him start swinging with his non-injured arm while he continues his conditioning. In a May 26 interview with KMOX, President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak said the organization wants to be cautious with his injury.
“If you sit there and talk to him, he’s going to come across as he’s a day away. If you put out your hand and tell him to squeeze it, he’s going to hurt you,” Mozeliak said. “It’s one of those things where most people when you have an injury like his you’re really looking at 10-12 weeks. He might be someone that can beat that we’ll see. He’s certainly doing everything he can to keep his body in shape and moving and working. So, I certainly wouldn’t bet against him on that, but I also want to make sure that we’re prudent and smart and not rushing him.”
Staying Present With The Team During The IL stint
Contreras has been showing up as often as he can to support his teammates. It’s been a point of emphasis for him since the night he broke his arm.
“I can be present in every game and that’s one thing that I was looking for since I got here,” Contreras told reporters on May 18. “I need to find a way of how to help the team, how to stay present for them and let them know I’m here for everybody. If anybody needs something they can come up and ask me and ask my opinion.”
While Contreras has been out, the Cardinals have been red-hot. The night the star catcher got hurt the Cardinals were 15-21. Now on the last day of May the team has worked its way back to .500 at 27-27 and went from last place in the N.L. Central to second place.
“We have a really good team and we’re starting play better baseball, have better at bats and that’s something that makes me happy and makes me chill,” Contreras said. “At the same time, I want to be out there competing with the guys, if it’s not competing just be on the bench with them.”
Contreras Mentoring Young Catchers
Backing up Contreras are a pair of rookie catchers: Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages. Herrara has seen some action going into this season, but never more than 15 games in a season. This season in 39 games Herrera has a slash line of .267/.333/.350 with three home runs and 11 RBI’s.
“He’s growing up from last year, he has grown up a lot, he’s maturing,” Contreras told the Fox Sports Broadcast on May 25. “The thing that I like the most is that he’s willing to play every day, that’s one thing that I really admire from any catcher in the MLB. I’m here for him, he knows that I’m supporting him, and I have his back. Ivan is a great teammate and he’s going to be a good catcher in the future.”
Herrera has three blocks above average behind the plate. He’s in the top 16 percent of the league for blocking pitches. Herrera has been improving his at-bats with the extra playing time he’s been getting as well.
“It’s tough when you’re not playing every day, but I always try to be ready to help the team win, pinch hit it doesn’t matter,” Herrera said on May 12. “It’s hard being on the bench. Unfortunately, what happened to Willson I got the opportunity, but we want Willson back, he’s our best player. I can’t wait to have him back.”
Herrera speaks on his mom watching him play in the big leagues for the first time:”Shoutout to my mom, she’s the reason why I’m here. I owe her everything I have.”#STLCards
Watch on Bally Sports, https://t.co/qndToVtUKF and the Bally Sports app. pic.twitter.com/u1hgRXAQKX
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) May 19, 2024
Contreras has made himself available to Herrera for whatever he needs. Helping the 23-year-old catcher improve when he can.
“I’m letting him experience his games, but he’s also asking a lot of questions which I love that because as a player you have to be willing to ask any question you have. There’s never a dumb question,” Contreras said.
Main Photo Credits: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
