Red Sox’s Contreras Held Out With Bruised Hand
Red Sox’s Contreras Held Out With Bruised Hand
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Key Points
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Tristan Peters lay on his back for several minutes on the warning track after the collision before walking off with athletic trainer James Kruk; Braden Montgomery replaced him in right field.
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The collision came months after Peters made a notable 85-foot, 4.7-second catch against Baltimore in June, when he crashed into the wall but stayed in the game after robbing Dylan Beavers of a bases-clearing hit.
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Contreras said his hand was numb for about five minutes and initially felt as if it were fractured, noting that he had previously broken the same hand: “Thankfully, it’s not a fracture on the top of the bone.”
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Contreras ranks third in the majors in hit-by-pitches this season and expressed frustration about repeatedly being struck: “If nobody does anything about it, I’m going to keep getting hit.”
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Boston’s win over Texas was secured shortly after Contreras left, when Trevor Story hit a go-ahead three-run homer off Jacob Latz; Contreras had gone 1-for-3 with a single.
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras was held out of Friday's lineup after a 92.3-mph sinker struck his right hand Thursday night, causing bruising, swelling, and temporary numbness. Boston Globe reported that X-rays came back negative, and interim manager Chad Tracy said Contreras would be evaluated day to day, with a possible return during the weekend series against Tampa Bay.
The injury came in a 4-3 win over Texas that Contreras helped secure before departing. He leads Boston with 27 home runs and 81 RBIs as the Red Sox pursue a postseason spot, and his absence leaves a major gap in the lineup. SI.com noted the team avoided a serious issue, but the timing threatens Boston's push for October baseball.
How Contreras Got Hit and What Happened Next
During Thursday's game against Texas, Contreras was struck by a sinker from Jakob Junis. The pitch hit his right hand with enough force to cause immediate pain. Contreras said his hand went numb for about five minutes and initially felt like it was fractured, a genuine concern given his injury history.
He told reporters: "Thankfully, it's not a fracture on the top of the bone." X-rays confirmed no fracture, though swelling and bruising remained. Chad Tracy evaluated him Friday and kept him out as a precaution, but the door remains open for a weekend return if the hand improves.
Contreras' Frustration Over Being Hit Repeatedly
This is Contreras' third hit-by-pitch injury this season. He now ranks third in the majors in HBP incidents, a troubling stat for a player trying to stay healthy down the stretch. The pattern has worn on him.
Contreras expressed frustration to reporters, saying: "If nobody does anything about it, I'm going to keep getting hit." His complaint points to broader concern about pitcher control and batter safety in baseball. The Red Sox will hope this latest injury doesn't derail his late-season performance.
Impact on Red Sox Playoff Push
Contreras is the engine of Boston's lineup. His 27 home runs, 81 RBIs, and .905 on-base-plus-slugging mark place him among the team's most important hitters. Every game matters as the Red Sox chase a postseason berth, making his health critical.
Boston won Thursday without him in the final innings, with Trevor Story hitting a go-ahead three-run homer. But relying on other bats repeatedly is not ideal. Yahoo Sports reported the team will monitor Contreras closely over the weekend, hoping he can return to face Tampa Bay if the swelling subsides and pain clears.
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