Willson Contreras leaves Red Sox game in second inning Sunday vs. Rays

TL;DR

Willson Contreras left the Red Sox game against the Rays in the second inning due to a right hand contusion after being hit by a pitch. Interim manager Chad Tracy reported that initial scans were negative and further evaluation will occur in the coming days.

Key points

Willson Contreras left the game due to a right hand contusion.
He was hit by a pitch in the first inning.
The Red Sox lost to the Rays 4-1.
Initial scans of Contreras's hand were negative.
Andruw Monasterio replaced Contreras at first base.

Willson ContrerasRed SoxRaysAndruw Monasterio

BOSTON — First baseman Willson Contreras left the Red Sox’ 4-1 loss to the Rays in the second inning Sunday due to a right hand contusion.

He got hit with a pitch during the bottom of the first inning and remained in the game after the trainer checked on him. But he did not return defensively in the top of the second inning.

“The quick scans that we do here came back negative, which is good,” interim manager Chad Tracy said. “Sore. That’s all we know at this point. We’re just obviously going to have an off day tomorrow and that helps a lot. And then we’ll kind of reevaluate him tomorrow and the next day and see how he feels. And hopefully, we’re OK there.”

Andruw Monasterio replaced Contreras at first base.

Contreras stands close to the plate, which frequently results in him getting hit by pitches. He is tied for the MLB-lead with eight hit by pitches this season. He finished third in the majors with 23 hit by pitches last year when he played for the Cardinals.

He has been hit 137 times in his career, including a season-high 24 times in 2022 when he played for the Cubs.

The 33-year-old Contreras is batting .259 with a .380 on-base percentage, .467 slugging percentage and .847 OPS in 39 games (166 plate appearances) this year. He has eight home runs, four doubles and 23 RBIs.