Major League Baseball has announced that Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras has received a six-game suspension and an undisclosed fine in relation to his behavior during last night’s game. Contreras is appealing the suspension, so he can continue playing with the club until that process has been completed.
Contreras got into an argument with the home plate umpire Derek Thomas during last night’s game, as seen in this clip from MLB.com. After getting ejected, Contreras was obviously furious and had to be held back by his fellow Cardinals. While departing the field, he tossed his bat in the general direction of the umpire, though it hit hitting coach Brant Brown instead.
It’s not surprising that Contreras has been suspended, nor is it a shock that he is appealing. It’s quite common for players to appeal when given a suspension. The calendar also gives him a few reasons to want to avoid serving the penalty right away. For one thing, the Cards are still hanging around the playoff race, just 5.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot in the National League. Appealing the suspension allows him to keep playing as the club tries to stay alive.
Also, rosters expand on September 1st, from 26 to 28. That’s notable in this instance as a team has to play shorthanded when a player is suspended for an on-field infraction such as this. If the suspension were to be served now, the Cards would have to play with a 25-man roster. If it is served in September, then they could play with 27 guys.
The Cards are using Iván Herrera as the designated hitter almost every day, with Contreras at first most of the time. That means Alec Burleson is often in left field, where he’s not a great defender. Whenever Contreras serves his suspension, Burleson could spend more time at first base, which could open more outfield playing time for Nathan Church, José Fermín or Garrett Hampson. It’s also possible that Victor Scott II could be reinstated from the IL when roster expand.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Curry, Imagn Images
Omg umpires can do whatever they want w D game and rules are make for everyone to follow but Ohtani.
Have another
“rules are make for everyone”
Including apparently the rules of English.
If you go back and look at the pitches on gamecast (assuming gamecast is accurate), the pitch caught the bottom of the zone.
But there were several that didn’t catch the zone all night he was calling strikes.
Omg it’s so bizarre you put it that way. On Sunday a fan in San Diego sitting next to the dugout was ragging on Ohtani all day long. Ohtani hit a home run and first thing after crossing the plate, he trots over to this guy and gives him a high five. The meatball looked suitably embarrassed. So yeah different rules for different players.
Six games for this is ridiculous….
To be reduced to one I’m sure.
Reduce it to four and it is fair
How long does the appeal process take? The penalty might transfer over to 2026 and stl is basically out of it for this season. Might be easier to withdraw the appeal and serve the six in the lost season.
Objectively, thinking it through, the appeal is also requested by the player and suspenions are unpaid (even under contract)…so WC might want to gain that day or two unpaid back.
Should be 6 games and 6 mandatory Shrink visits. I mean he basically turned a good 3rd strike call( For a change) Into an International incident. He’s slowly turning into Milton Bradley. He needs help. He tried to start a fight against the Cubs for absolutely no reason.
You’re right, it should be ten.
You are right Clip. He should have gotten 10 games. It’s supposed to be a gentlemen’s game. Players should act like adults/men, not children, and should respect authority lest the game descend into chaos. I am tired of these spoiled entitled millionaires throwing temper tantrums and acting like babies and the fans who defend them. Grow up everyone.
He threw a bat. Intent to injure. He shouldn’t even be allowed to appeal.
“Threw his bat” is taking it too the extreme. He tossed it without looking and the extra people surrounding Contreras took the contact by surprise. Throwing it would more like what Robles did. The bat flips every one love are much more violent.
If anything, there should be an investigation on what the ump said to make a guy that upset.
I totally agree w you but MLB and Umpires can do whatever they want.
Okay @boycottsidsweeney. You’ve devolved.
Ehh, why would he even try to toss his bat if not directed at the umpire. He wasn’t trying to hit his own coach. He also threw his helmet on the ground toward the umpire as well. I want to know what he yelled back at the ump who rang him up on a strike to know if his outburst after getting ejected was overblown or not. It certainly looked overblown.
Because he’s a hothead. Has always been. Cards need to blow it all up and rebuild anyway. Team has nothing remotely resembling a contender even in the future tbh. Need to build up the farm.
At most the bat in the umpire’s direction was as a slight to express the contempt he felt towards the umpire as he dragged away from the situation. The fact the friendly fire happened was unfortunate and clearly not what he intended.
The real kicker is the scattering of the gum onto the field. I think everyone found that funny but this is was probably the straw that broke the MLB’s hump. But since it wasn’t an issue in most fans minds, they get “threw” and “bat” together to evoke the seriousness of the danger and tie it to Robles recent suspension to justify a lengthy suspension.
Robles was justified. Free Robles!
He absolutely threw his bat. And Wilson is
lucky it hit one of his coaches.
I’m definitely a Contreras fan, but there’s just no justifiable reason to be so unhinged. And, not for nothing, I also think the ump did a pretty good job of not escalating the situation. Lots of umps would have leaned in and made it worse.
Reducing it to four games is fair.
He said “poo”.
Contreras is easily upset and has been that way his entire career. Six games is excessive but let’s not pretend that Contreras is a picture of composure.
You throw your bat and hit someone, you’re going to be suspended
If you have to be restrained while arguing with an umpire you’re going to be suspended. The only question is the number of games. It’s kind of mind blowing that anyone would excuse this behavior. The times we live in, I guess.
Well put , as well.
Well put.
Brant Brown probably dropped the bat toss!
Ahhh….I see what you did there.
Ohhhh nooooooo!!!! Nooooooo!!
Thanks!
He shouldn’t have said he’s Batman.
Victor gets 10 for getting hit in a minor league game and trying to throw a bat 90 feet away but Contreras gets 6 for almost assaulting an umpire and hitting his own coach
I agree. The bat toss aside, he went after that umpire.
Willson is getting worse with his anger. I used to chalk it up to passion.
What’s worse is that he clearly didn’t even consider that maybe his teammates would’ve liked some more of that Hi-Chew before he tossed it onto the field.
Just flat out rude!
Tossing items into the field of play is bad but ok MLB doing that on top of the other stuff is 4 games better than throwing a bat at a guy 90 feet away
His teammates chewed him out for that.
What a meatball. That might be one of the worst FA signings ever.
No one can deny that Contreras is passionate. As a Cardinals fan, I hope they can find a way to see his passion on another team next year. I’d rather pay Ivan Herrera to do the same thing for dirt cheap and let Walker, Gorman, and Burlison a few more at bats cycling through the DH role as well. His lively antics would play a lot better on a team that has a chance of competing in the postseason. Maybe if Bloom tells him that the Cardinals would have to attach a prospect to trade him it would piss him off and he might consider waiving the no-trade clause. Never understood giving 2nd tier guys no-trade clauses, particularly one with a ton of miles on his knees and a big mouth.
Contreras will be playing first base for the Cardinals in 2026. He’s also earned his contract.
Herrera isn’t a 1B, anyway. Although, Burleson can always play 1B when needed, not that Contreras is going anywhere.
A cardinal acting like a big baby? Ya don’t say
Victor Robles threw his bat and got 10 games
Why only 6 for contreras?
He hit his coach throwing his bat. If the league doesn’t give him 6 the team should.
His intent wasn’t to hit his coach obviously. What he should be punished for is his intent directed at the umpire, that his coach was in the way means nothing to me.
Yep, his Intent was at the umpire. Hammer down time, lower the boom, call in his momma- she’ll get him straight. Don’t make me call you momma…
I see
So 6 games for throwing bat @ ump
10 if you throw @ another player
Only took mlb a week to set the bar
Out of control on a good strike call
What a baby. Passion has nothing to do with having no control over your emotions.
Should be 10. Looks like it hit a coach or teammate. Team should add 3 games
Anger management
Anger mismanagement.
If this was Yadi instead of Willson, baseball media would be [graphic description of sexual ecstasy] about his passion for the game and unparalleled leadership.
Is this your special version of fantasy baseball?
Should have been 60.
What a disgrace.
That a way Cardinals. Just keep running Pallante out there.
Shouldn’t the Cardinals be suspending him for hitting his own coach? Lol.
Do not throw the bat…. simple. Dumb move given STL is still trying to get in the post-season…. despite STL is mediocre.