Cardinals place Willson Contreras on IL

Published: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 4:40 pm

Cardinals' Contreras Placed on Injured List, Season Ends on a Sour Note

St. Louis Cardinals' first baseman Willson Contreras has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain, the team announced Wednesday. The injury is retroactive to September 16th. This latest setback adds to a challenging season for Contreras, who has faced multiple hurdles both on and off the field.

Contreras's last appearance was on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds, where he went two-for-three in a game the Cardinals lost 11-6. The Cardinals are currently in fourth place in the NL Central and will not be participating in the playoffs, marking the first time since 2023 that they will miss the postseason.

This season, Contreras has batted .257, with 126 hits, 20 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 70 runs scored. However, his performance has been overshadowed by several incidents. In late August, he received a two-game suspension for throwing a bat at a coach following an argument with an umpire. Earlier in the season, in July, a pitch hitting him led to a bench-clearing incident between the Cardinals and the San Diego Padres. In August, Contreras also sustained a contusion on his right foot.

The Cardinals have been transitioning Contreras this year, moving him from catcher to first base and designated hitter. Despite trade rumors, Contreras, along with pitchers Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas, chose to waive their no-trade clauses before the July 31 trade deadline. Contreras has expressed his desire to remain with the Cardinals as part of the team's rebuilding efforts.

BNN's Perspective:

The Cardinals' season has been disappointing, and Contreras's injury is just another blow. While his offensive contributions have been valuable, his disciplinary issues and recent injuries raise questions about his long-term fit with the team. The Cardinals will need to carefully assess their options as they look to rebuild and compete in the coming seasons.

Keywords: Willson Contreras, Cardinals, injury, shoulder strain, injured list, MLB, baseball, NL Central, suspension, trade, rebuilding, season

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