Willson

Contreras

Contreras has made a rapid recovery from surgery to repair his fractured forearm, and what looked to be an injury that would keep him out through the All-Star break now appears to be one where he could be back as the Cardinals backstop in the next week. Keep in mind that setbacks do happen, but all signs point to the 32-year-old being a regular for the Cardinals much sooner than anticipated.

Contreras has made a speedy recovery from surgery to repair a fractured left forearm and appears on track to make it back to St. Louis prior to the end of the month, barring any setbacks. The 32-year-old backstop was cleared to resume full baseball activities last week and could wind up getting into minor league rehab contests next week.

When asked if he could return as a designated hitter instead of a backstop, Contreras answered with a convincing “hell no.” The backstop did say a return against Chicago next week seemed a little fast ,but he does appear like he’ll beat his All-Star game timeline. Contreras wouldn’t offer a progression update, but everything here points to a return at some point in late June.

Contreras is making rapid progress in his recovery from surgery to repair a fractured left forearm and there’s optimism that he’ll be ready to return earlier than originally anticipated. The 32-year-old backstop wasn’t expected back until sometime around the All-Star break, but it’s looking like he could return before the end of the month, barring any setbacks. There should be some clarity on his timeline once he undergoes a CT scan on Friday to determine whether he’ll be cleared to resume hitting.

The exact date is uncertain, but Contreras has been cast-less since at least last Friday, May 17. It may have been as early as May 11. “I’m really happy with how the process is going and how well I’m recovering,” Contreras said late last week. “The way I feel, I could say, it’s not going to be (until) the All-Star break. It could be earlier than that. I’m not going to say something that is going to get above the doctors’ opinion, but if you’re asking me how I’m feeling, I’m feeling great.” The Cardinals have yet to comment on Contreras potentially beating his All-Star week return projection, but it is now definitely within the realm of possibility.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol told reporters Contreras is likely to miss upwards of 10 weeks, rather than the 6-8 week timetable the veteran backstop provided earlier this week. The 31-year-old figures to be on the shelf until sometime right around the All-Star break in mid-July.

Pagés comes up as the Cardinals place Willson Contreras on the injured list with a fractured forearm. The 25-year-old backstop will split time with Iván Herrera behind the plate while Contreras is sidelined. Pagés has played in five games with the Cardinals this season but hasn’t recorded a hit.

Contreras will need more than the minimum 10 days as the 31-year-old backstop suffered a broken left forearm during Tuesday’s game against the Mets. Contreras was struck by a swing from J.D Martinez that collided with the middle of the forearm and carried through to his wrist. He’ll have to undergo surgery and is expected to miss at least six to eight weeks. In the meantime, Iván Herrera and Pedro Pagés will handle catching duties while Contreras is sidelined.

It’s a significant development for the Cardinals as Contreras will wind up requiring surgery to repair a fractured left forearm that he suffered during Tuesday’s game against the Mets when he was struck by a swing from J.D. Martinez. The 31-year-old backstop should be ready to return sometime around the All-Star break, barring any setbacks. It’ll be Iván Herrera and Pedro Pagés handling the catching duties in his absence.

Brutal. Contreras was struck directly on the left forearm by a swing, not a backswing, from Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez and was immediately lifted from the contest. The 31-year-old backstop is facing a lengthy absence, which is a significant loss for the Cardinals, and fantasy managers as well. It’ll be Iván Herrera handling the bulk of the catching duties with Pedro Pagés coming back up from Triple-A Memphis.