It was scary enough when Javy Báez was hit on the knee with a pitch last night – he seemed to be OK and stayed in the game after some time on the ground – but when Willson Contreras took a Devin Williams fastball to the dome, I was really nervous.
Willy takes one off the helmet, but stays in the game no problem.@Cubs #GoCubsGo pic.twitter.com/GyYvDNigPT
— Billy Krumb (@ClubhouseCancer) April 6, 2021
Fortunately, Contreras immediately started walking to first base, where he acted like he’d been hit by a still-fresh Peep:
"Pfft. Ask the baseball if it's OK." pic.twitter.com/E2EDfDjo7N
— Bleacher Nation Cubs (@BleacherNation) April 6, 2021
The guy is as tough as it gets. Probably also lucky, all things considered. He stayed in the game, finished out the game, and there were no apparent ill-effects. Even after the game, he was still feeling fine:
Cubs catcher Willson Contreras said he didn’t feel any dizziness or concussion symptoms after being hit in the helmet by a fastball.
"It was a scary moment for everyone.” https://t.co/vjWF0NMHuU
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) April 6, 2021
Contreras has caught each of the Cubs’ first four games, and with Austin Romine still on the shelf, the Cubs almost certainly prefer to keep Contreras in there as much as possible. Of course, if you want Contreras at his best for the full season, you’re going to have to give Tony Wolters a start eventually. I wonder if it’ll come tomorrow – day game after a night game, veteran starter on the mound in Kyle Hendricks, and a righty on the mound for the Brewers. Even if it comes tonight, though, I wouldn’t freak about it being hit-by-pitch-related. Contreras is fine.