(SEE UPDATES BELOW)
This has really been a bad 10 days for the Cubs, who are poised to lose a series to the terrible, terrible Giants, and worse, could lose Willson Contreras for a while.
Hustling out a grounder in the 8th inning today, Contreras came up lame after first base, grabbing the back of his right leg in a move reminiscent of hamstring strains you’ve seen runners suffer. I’m not saying that’s what this is – and the official word from the Cubs so far is only that it’s a right leg injury – but Contreras had to be helped off the field. Whatever happened, it’s not good.
Uh oh. Willson Contreras exits Wednesday's game after suffering a leg injury running to first. More updates to follow from @CSNMooney. pic.twitter.com/2gb6YSOLB8
— CSN Chicago (@CSNChicago) August 9, 2017
Per usual, you should steady yourself for a significant absence from Contreras. If it is the hamstring, even the mildest strains frequently cost a player a month of big league action. We’ll update you when there’s more.
For now, Alex Avila looks like he could become the starting catcher for a little while, and the Cubs may have lost their hottest hitter.
UPDATE: As expected, a DL stint is likely for Contreras, who will get an MRI tomorrow. Still, he’s upbeat at least:
Rizzo said he spoke with Contreras, who told him he's had leg injuries worse than this. Contreras will have MRI Thursday, results on Friday
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) August 9, 2017
Rizzo said he spoke to Contreras who was upbeat/positive abt injury. It'd be a surprise if didn't require DL stint, but Rizz was optimistic
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) August 9, 2017
#Cubs anticipating DL move for Willson Contreras, who will get an MRI on hamstring tomorrow in Arizona.
— Patrick Mooney (@CSNMooney) August 9, 2017
If Contreras goes on the DL, you can expect Victor Caratini to return as the team’s primary back-up catcher behind Avila.