Cubs catcher Willson Contreras sidelined 4-to-6 weeks with strained hamstring

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Willson Contreras is not definitively out for the rest of the season. But the Cubs catcher will likely be sidelined four-to-six weeks with a strained right hamstring at a time when four National League Central teams are now separated by three games.

The first step for Contreras will be taking about two weeks off to recover after Thursday’s MRI revealed what the Cubs called a “moderate” strain. Once Contreras is pain free, the Cubs can then ramp up the rehab process. Friday’s timetable could put Contreras in play by mid-to-late September, when the schedule is loaded with divisional opponents.

This general outline at least appears to avoid the worst-case scenario that seemed possible when Contreras needed help to hobble off the field during Wednesday’s costly loss to the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. This was an alarming development for a first-place team that needs him as a cleanup hitter, the receiver who shuts down the running game and an emerging voice in the clubhouse.

The obvious roster move before Friday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field: Contreras placed on the 10-day disabled list and Victor Caratini promoted from Triple-A Iowa to back up Alex Avila.

No one player or combination behind the plate can match Contreras, who leads all NL catchers with 21 homers and 70 RBI and has such a rocket arm. But Avila was good enough for the Detroit Tigers teams that averaged 91-plus wins per season between 2011 and 2014, winning four division titles and an American League pennant. And Caratini – who hit .344 with a .944 OPS in 76 games with Iowa – would have been a September call-up with a bright future.

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