MLB news: Former Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras breaks left forearm when hit by baseball bat swing in Cardinals-Mets game

ST. LOUIS — Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras broke his left forearm when he was hit by a swing throughout Tuesday evening’s 7-5 loss to the New York Mets.

Contreras informed reporters he’ll want surgical procedure and miss at the least six weeks.

“So proper now I imply, I am in ache fairly good, however I am actually upset lacking,” Contreras stated. “I do know that it is going to be powerful for me to observe the video games and never on the market with the blokes, however I will do my finest to remain current, decide one another up and cheer for them as a result of that is one of the best factor I can do.”

Contreras obtained damage with J.D. Martinez on the plate within the second inning. After he was clipped by Martinez’s swing, the three-time All-Star tumbled over in apparent ache after which jogged away earlier than sitting down whereas was examined by St. Louis’ coaching employees.

“I hit meat,” Martinez stated. “I felt like I hit meat. I did not hit like similar to a glove the place you sort of simply level again to catcher, it was simply strong. I used to be like, dude, I hit him good. … I felt horrible.”

Martinez was awarded first base as a result of catcher’s interference. The workforce stated Contreras had a left forearm fracture, and Iván Herrera took over behind the plate.

Contreras stated he thought Martinez was a little bit late on his swing, which led to dangerous timing.

“I feel if he sees the pitch nicely, he’d attempt to hit a little bit up entrance and he would not hit me,” Contreras stated. “I am not blaming him. He is doing his factor. Issues occur for a motive.”

Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas known as Contreras the workforce’s “beating coronary heart” behind the plate.

“He is near the plate making an attempt to steal strikes,” Mikolas stated. “You recognize, as pitchers we respect that, however you understand, if we knew he was going to get damage, I might relatively throw all balls. … Excited about it after the actual fact, I feel there must be a line again there, you understand, for the catchers and simply have them keep behind the road. That approach, nobody can get any nearer than the following man. And in case you put them again there in a spot that is deemed secure, and you understand, that may assist guys.”

Contreras doubled and scored throughout St. Louis’ three-run first. He’s hitting .280 with six homers and 12 RBIs. The 31-year-old is within the second yr of a five-year, $87.5 million contract.

“It is a powerful one, man,” Cardinals supervisor Oliver Marmol stated. “He is been doing such an exceptional job. He is an excessive competitor. He brings a lot to the membership performance-wise, but in addition with simply his aggressive nature, so to see him go down is hard. I really feel for him, I actually do. He was placing collectively a very nice yr and serving to us in a whole lot of methods so it is a powerful one.”