Cubs catcher Willson Contreras brought his mitt across the plate as if he was expecting the pitch to break. Instead, the 99-mph fastball drilled him in the wrist.
Contreras remained in the Chicago Cubs’ 2-1 extra-innings win on Sunday after taking a four-seamer off the wrist in the 10th inning. After a Cubs athletic trainer examined him, Contreras caught 16 more pitches from closer Craig Kimbrel to secure the victory.
Cubs manager David Ross, who was ejected in the fourth inning for arguing balls and strikes, watched the play on TV. At first, the former catcher worried Contreras might have broken his wrist or forearm.
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“They had they got it right on TV,” Ross said of the ESPN broadcast, “probably one of the tougher guys I've ever been around.”
The Cubs have an off-day Monday before opening a three-game series at Pittsburgh.
“The next thing that came to my mind,” Ross said with a smile, “is he’s probably going to need a day off on Tuesday.”
When Ross spoke to the media after the game, he said he had not yet talked to trainers about whether Contreras would need X-Rays. Ross said Contreras told him he felt fine, but Contreras will be re-examined by the medical staff.