Cardinals Activate Willson Contreras, Eye Wild-Card Spot
The St. Louis Cardinals are looking to solidify their playoff hopes as they activated catcher Willson Contreras from the injured list ahead of Monday's crucial series opener against the Atlanta Braves. Contreras, who had been sidelined since fracturing his forearm on May 7, will make his much-anticipated return to the big-league lineup.
Contreras' Return
The 32-year-old Contreras had been a significant contributor to the Cardinals' offense before his injury, boasting a .280/.398/.551 slash line with six home runs and 12 RBIs in his first 31 games. His performance generated an impressive 167 OPS+ and was valued at 1.7 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference. His absence was deeply felt, especially as his forearm fracture occurred during an unfortunate incident involving New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez.
After being struck and fracturing his forearm, Contreras' recovery became a pressing concern for the Cardinals, who were 15-21 and 6.5 games behind in the National League Central at the time of the injury. Fast forward to Monday, and the Cardinals have improved their standing to a 39-37 record, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by just five games. Should the season conclude today, they would find themselves as the second of three National League wild-card teams.
Roster Moves and Injury Replacements
In a series of strategic roster moves, the Cardinals have optioned backup catcher Nick Raposo to Triple-A Memphis to make room for Contreras. Raposo had recently been filling in due to Iván Herrera's stint on the injured list caused by lower back tightness. While Herrera rehabs and works towards a return to active duty, Pagés will serve as the backup catcher to Contreras.
The Cardinals also activated right-handed reliever Nick Robertson from the injured list and subsequently optioned him to Triple-A Memphis. These roster adjustments underscore the importance of getting the team’s best talent back on the field as they push through a competitive National League Central.
The Impact of Contreras' Return
Contreras' return couldn’t have come at a more critical time for St. Louis. With a pivotal series against the Atlanta Braves, having a proven veteran like Contreras back in the lineup boosts not just the offense but the morale of the team. His experience and skill behind the plate will be essential in navigating through the Braves' lineup and shoring up the defense.
Contreras is in the second year of his five-year, $87 million deal with the Cardinals, and the team will look to him to help maintain the momentum built in his absence. With Pagés stepping into the backup role, the Cardinals' catching depth appears robust, giving them options and flexibility as they navigate the latter part of the season.
Outlook for the Season
As the Cardinals focus on maintaining their wild-card position, the return of a player of Contreras' caliber adds significant firepower to their push. The upcoming series against the Braves provides an immediate test, but it also serves as an opportunity to gauge the team’s strength with their star catcher back in action.
The Cardinals’ management and fans alike will watch closely as Contreras integrates back into the team, hopeful that his return signals a successful and competitive stretch leading into the playoffs. With the division standings tight, every game counts, and having Contreras behind the plate could make all the difference in tight contests and late-season matchups.
Overall, the return of Willson Contreras marks a crucial chapter in the Cardinals' 2023 season. As they strive to close the gap in the division and secure a playoff berth, Contreras’ presence will be integral both offensively and defensively. The team’s performance in the upcoming series could serve as a bellwether for their success down the stretch.