Sports
Contreras MRI clean after 103 mph pitch to knee
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras left Thursday’s Opening Day contest against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays in the top of the eighth inning after a 103 mph pitch glanced off his knee.
The Cardinals said after a 10-9 loss that Contreras suffered a right knee contusion and X-rays came back negative. An MRI on Friday came back negative, manager Oliver Marmol said.
Marmol said the team will do more testing on Contreras, who signed a five-year, $87.5 million deal as a free agent in December.
Contreras was behind the plate, and teammate Jordan Hicks hurled a sinker that went low and left. Contreras was unable to catch the pitch, and it hit the dirt before careening off his knee, protected by a shin guard.
Contreras attempted to go after the ball but was hobbling and clearly in pain.
Thursday marked Contreras’ debut with the Cardinals after seven seasons with the National League Central-rival Chicago Cubs. He is a three-time All-Star, including last season.
He went 2-for-4 with two runs before leaving the game. He was replaced by backup catcher Andrew Knizner.