Willson Contreras to Have MRI Monday on His Right Hamstring
You could have predicted the post-game update on Willson Contreras within a few moments of his exit, but just to get you the particulars.
As expected, it’s a hamstring injury for Contreras, who will be getting an MRI tomorrow. In a situation like this where a soft tissue comes up and grabs you, the diagnosis of some kind of strain – however mild (fingers crossed) – is just about a foregone conclusion.
MRI for Contreras on Monday for right hamstring. Caratini was going to catch tomorrow anyway, but would expect an IL stint for Willy and Taylor Davis to be called up. Nothing official on that yet and the severity of the injury won't be known until the MRI results come back.
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) August 3, 2019
Maddon said Contreras will have an MRI Monday (hamstring) Caratini was scheduled to catch Sunday w/Darvish going. Haven’t made a decision to call up Taylor Davis yet. #Cubs
— Kelly Crull (@Kelly_Crull) August 3, 2019
Willson Contreras to have an MRI Monday. Look for Taylor Davis to come up from Iowa and be at Wrigley tomorrow. #Cubs
— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) August 3, 2019
So, then, your expectations are a strained hammy for Contreras, an IL stint, a new catcher coming up tomorrow, and Victor Caratini being the starter for a long time.
A sober reminder that, even if it’s just a mild strain for Contreras, he’s going to miss a month, at least. The Cubs are fortunate to have a quality back-up in Caratini, but he isn’t Contreras (and Taylor Davis isn’t Caratini). This will sting. If the Cubs opt to pick up a depth catcher, they can only grab someone off the waiver wire or from the minor leagues somewhere (not on 40-man roster).
Your realistic hope right now is that Caratini hits really well over the next month, and Contreras is back sometime in September.