Cubs catcher Willson Contreras made an early exit from today’s game due to what the club described as right hamstring tightness. The injury occurred in the third inning, as after Contreras had singled and then stolen second base, he bolted for third on what ended up being a foul ball from Seiya Suzuki. The catcher immediately grabbed at his right hamstring and, following a visit from the team trainer, left the game.
Afterwards, manager David Ross told The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney and other reporters that “there’s definitely something going on,” with Contreras’ hamstring, and that “we’ll find out how extensive” after some tests.
At the very least, it would seem like Contreras will miss a game or two to monitor his leg problem. The Cubs’ next off-day is on May 27, so it’s at least possible the team might keep Contreras out of action (but not on the injured list) until then to see if a full 10-day IL stint could be avoided, though that would require Chicago to call another catcher up from the minors.
If an IL trip is required, Contreras and the Cubs can only hope that it’s a relatively short absence. The veteran backstop is off to a great start, hitting .258/.382/.458 with five home runs over his first 144 plate appearances. That would make for a career year for Contreras if he keeps hitting at that pace, and it would set him up nicely for a big contract this winter as the 30-year-old is eligible for free agency.
Missing several weeks or even months due to a hamstring injury would hamper Contreras’ ability to score top dollar on the open market, though given his track record, Contreras would still likely land a healthy contract even if his platform year is less than stellar. However, missing a lot of time prior to the trade deadline would certainly hurt or even erase the Cubs’ chance of a good return for the catcher, as trade rumors have swirled around Contreras for well over a year. One of the few Cubs veterans remaining after last summer’s deadline fire sale, Contreras recently said he hasn’t heard anything from the team about a possible contract extension.
Should have traded him.
@Milwaukee-2208- definitely not too late to move Willson in a trade package. Any team in the majors would be happy to have a catcher with his talent. A loyal player who would fit in any clubhouse.
This is Willson’s annual trip to the IL for his hamstring. I’d guess he’ll be out for a month and then fresh for the trading deadline.
What trades were they offered? Just asking. Making a trade just to make a trade is kind of stupid. I’ve never heard of any specific returns.
Nooooo! Come to the Yankees, they have a great strength & conditioning staff now, Willson. Door is open, my friend.
Hope it’s nothing serious & he recovers & returns soon.
I loved the strike zone he drew around the plate for the ump in the last game and then spiked his bat on it as an exclamation point!
What is the Yankees “on the table” prospect offer?
They dont have any. Their fand just think they are entitled go whoever they need.
You don’t need a ton of prospects for a rental, think 20-15 range
@Yankee Clipper- Lol. I would take a hurt Contreras over what we have now. Cubies can also move Hendricks to the Yanks. Alexander Vargas, Clarke Schmidt, Aaron Hicks(to off-set Hendricks contract) Miguel Andujar(to give my Cubs much needed pop in their lineup) and Higgy(so Chicago get’s a back-up catcher) that plays good defense. Sounds like a fair trade for both teams. Let’s get it done already!!!
I would love that, my friend, but I think the Cubs would ask for much more (meaning higher value, not quantity) than those guys. Schmidt is a great starting point because he’s performing and valuable as a starter- plus, Cubs need/want pitching.
I do think Schmidt, Vargas (or other MIF), & perhaps lower prospect could net Contreras. Or Higgy/Schmidt combo should* be of interest too.
Now, the problem comes in with the open bidding driving his price up. Several teams could use him so the Yanks would need to match/beat the other offers out there.
Hey Captain,
Why would the Cubs want Aaron Hicks, Miguel Andujar, or Higgy? Vargas and Schmidt for Contreras and Hendricks would not be near enough, besides don’t you think they need an outfielder more than anything right now?
@Mickey777- my favorite NL is the Cubs for sure. I definitely know the type of package they would be looking for in a Contreras-Hendricks deal. Let’s face it Andujar will never get a chance to play in NY. It’s time to part ways. I would love to see how many homers he could hit with 500 at bats. Schmidt needs to pitch every 5th day. Antonio Gomez is a catcher the Cubs would have interest in. Hicks would be included to off-set Hendricks contact. Deivi Garcia still has a lot of talent he probably just needs a change of scenery. Domingo German is a nice power arm Chicago would have some interest in if he could just get healthy. These are the type of players the Cubs need. Higgy would just be a back up catcher included in the trade for his defense.
Nobody wants Andujar.
The Cubs have their own albatross in Heyward. They don’t need another one in Hicks.
If the Cubs trade Hendricks, it will be separately from Contreras.
@DonnyElementary- there is no reason why the Cubs wouldn’t have interest in Clarke Schmidt and Randy Vasquez in a deal for Kyle Hendricks. I strongly disagree. Vargas will be a good leadoff hitter that plays excellent defense when he is ready for the majors. Andujar would get a chance to play everyday for the Cubs, who could use his power at Wrigley Field. He just hasn’t got that opportunity with the Yankees.
The Cubs already got Frazier from the Dynamic Duo. They don’t need Andujar!
Austin Wells is a catcher of interest for Contreras.
That would not nearly b enough young talent to entice the Cubs. There is also no way they would b taking on Hicks contract, lol. Andujar has value, just not to the Cubs. They ll b looking for players with more years of team control. They are not looking to add the finals pieces to put team over the top, they are looking to have financial control and a solid core to build around.
LOL
For a guy who claims the Cubs is his/her/them/they favorite NL team, you sure do not know much about them.
First of all, you do not want Hendricks. He hasn’t been the same since they banned spider tack. People do not think that way because Hendricks isn’t a power arm but anyone who has been watching can see he isn’t getting to drop on his change which is most likely the result of the ball not sitting back as far in his palm i.e. sticking.
From the Cubs perspective, we would have zero desire for any of the above mentioned players except Schmidt and German (although German’s domestic would make him a hard no for me).
The Cubs would want Dominguez and the Yankees most likely would want Robertson (assuming yesterday was a blip) and Contreras. We also would probably have to eat some salary to keep the Yankees from blasting into the next tier of luxury tax constraints.
Depending on where the Yankees are sitting I would do Robertson, Contreras and we cover Wilco’s salary in return for Dominguez, Gallo and Lange. That would afford the Yankees a bit more wiggle room to continue to make improvements to the roster if need be.
Schmidt & Torres for Hendricks and Contreras. Then swap some prospects to even the deal out.
Torres seems to be behind a few players and in a rotation. Cubs could bring him in at 2B right now with Simmons at SS. When Nico returns they could again move Torres to 3B.
One problem. You have nothing the Cubs want.
@desertbull- one problem. We have everything the Cubs need.
Jed seems to be playing it pretty smart, he knows the Cubs can spend when the time is right so he isn’t targeting “needs” in trades. He shoots for the best available package because we can sign guys to fill our “needs” when we have to (or trade for them).
The farm system is fat on guys in low A ball and we have some really solid guys in AAA. Dudes like Steele and Thompson snuck up on anyone who really wasn’t following the system. Same with guys like Roberts and Hughes. We also have a lot of potential high leverage guys coming through the pipes. Kilian should be up by the end of the season as well.
I think the Cubs will be perfectly happy going into next season with Thompson, Steele, Kilian in the rotation with Alzolay penciled in unless he gets pushed to long relief.
I said it from the start, Keegan Thompson will be a star in this league… the guy is absolutely fearless and has complete confidence on the mound. I wish Steele, with his stuff, had Thompsons fearlessness and swagger.
Schmidt seems to be a core piece. Torres might get new life back with his starting team. Add to it Nico and Madgral both have been injured off and on and both lack power. Wisdom strikes out far too much. Morel handles CF and to be honest will start to get dominated. He has a pass until the league starts to exploit his holes
Not sure if you’ve noticed or not but Hoyer wants guys like Madrigal and Hoerner, guys who put the ball in play and make defenses work. Not to mention they are both stellar defenders…
I don’t have anything against Torres but he isn’t the type of player the Cubs need or want for that matter. Third base may be an option for him but there is no way he is going to take at bats from Madrigal or Nico.
Cubs do not need SS Vargas, the Cubs have Christian Hernandez will be a superstar.
At this point, Cubs can trade Contreras or Gomes for Luis Medina or Randy Vasquez. The Cubs have no desire to do a salary dump for Hendricks. Contreras and Hendricks for Jasson Dominquez. I think that the Yankees would say no to the latter deal, so I think one young pitching prospect with a higher upset but further off is what will get it done for a catcher.
By the way, awesome season for Yankees except Judge just increased the amount of his extension by another season and $35 million over whatever he would have got on Opening Day
Will be? He has not even played a game at low A.
There is a long line of will be. Until a player has adjusted to MLB talent they are just raw potential.
There are far more MLB players who were not on radars then who were on everyone’s.
It is still a game of craps
@MannyBeingMVP-I disagree regarding Alexander Vargas. This kid isn’t ready for the majors yet, but he definitely could be a future gold glover if he hits. Christian Hernandez will likely be a superstar. No reason why Vargas or Hernandez can’t play 2nd. The switch hitting Vargas could be the perfect lead off hitter for the Cubs. Luis Medina should be ready to step in a role shortly that Chad Green has been used in. Randy Vasquez is definitely a starting pitcher who would interest the Cubs. The Yankees are the perfect trading partner for the Cubs.
Again, not following the Cubs. the Cubs have Madrigal and Hoerner, Hoerner is an elite defender at second base, Madrigal has flashed some leather as well and are both under team control.
Not to mention the Cubs have a surplus of short stops in the minors. Howard is probably the best defensive short stop in the minor leagues (before he got injured) but we also have the Morel brothers, Hernandez, Preciado, Made and Strumpf.
Yo Dylan Carlson did too. Where is his article ?
No one cares about STL.
The team with a $160 million payroll that gets competitive balance draft picks every year like they are living in poverty
Is Dylan Carlson one of the top trade target this season? He is not. That’s why he doesn’t get an article about getting hurt.
Pipe dream….Yanks land Contreras and Nintendo or Reynolds at the deadline.
The writers from MLBTR know and could answer. Starting catcher’s on trade deadline deals rarely bring back huge player or prospect returns. It takes weeks before the new catcher learns the pitchers and learns a team’s new system.
Couldn’t have happened to a worse person!
Don’t worry, yours is coming, except you’d inure your hammy while putting on your socks.