Willson Contreras already making return to catcher in weird Cardinals about-face

admin


The Cardinals are already shifting off their unusual plan for Willson Contreras.

On Saturday, St. Louis supervisor Oliver Marmol introduced earlier than their 4-3 win over the Purple Sox that the catcher will return to his place on Monday evening in opposition to the NL Central-leading Brewers within the opening sport of a homestand.

“We felt actually good in regards to the progress that we’ve made, and it strains up very well for him to catch Monday,” Marmol informed reporters.

The fast turnaround comes after the struggling Cardinals, whose 15-25 report coming into Sunday was the worst within the Nationwide League, introduced the 31-year-old was being moved off the catcher position on Could 6 only a month into the season and he can be used as a DH or an outfielder.

The transfer was imagined to final for at the least “a number of weeks,” Marmol beforehand mentioned.

The choice raised eyebrows because the Cardinals gave Contreras a five-year, $87.5 million free-agent contract in December to interchange their longtime catcher Yadier Molina, who retired.


The Cardinals are already shifting Willson Contreras again to catcher.
Getty Photos

Willson Contreras celebrates after hitting an RBI-double against the Chicago Cubs on May 8.
Willson Contreras celebrates after hitting an RBI-double in opposition to the Chicago Cubs on Could 8.
USA TODAY Sports activities through Reuters Con

“We talked about it final evening and I informed him that I’m able to catch,” Contreras mentioned after Saturday’s victory.

“I’m not going to be only a DH as a result of it’s actually exhausting simply to be a DH once I could be behind the plate,” he mentioned. “I used to be simply able to catch.”

Contreras defined that Marmol got here to him to ask if he was able to return to his spot behind the plate.


Nolan Gorman and Willson Contreras celebrate after scoring on a throwing error by the Red Sox's Enrique Hernandez on May 13, 2023.
Nolan Gorman and Willson Contreras have a good time after scoring on a throwing error by the Purple Sox’s Enrique Hernandez on Could 13, 2023.
AP

“I don’t know if I used to be appearing totally different, he learn one thing in my physique and went proper to the purpose and mentioned: ‘Are you able to catch?’ and I mentioned sure,” Contreras mentioned.

Contreras shall be catching for right-hander Jack Flaherty on Monday, who was the pitcher he final caught on Could 4, and it is going to be one other likelihood to show he can ship as marketed for the Cardinals.

Contreras is hitting .265/.344/.412 with three residence runs, 18 RBIs and two stolen bases.



Source link