Contreras not worried after left foot contusion vs White Sox
Willson Contreras is not worried after leaving the Red Sox's July 8 win with a left foot contusion from a foul ball, calling it day-to-day and likely just a bruise. Anthony Seigler also exited that inning with a right trap contusion, but Boston still beat the White Sox 5-0 for a fifth straight victory.
Key Takeaways
- Contreras fouled a Davis Martin pitch off the top of his left foot in the third inning and left after one defensive batter.
- Anthony Seigler suffered a right trap contusion scoring on a wild pitch collision with Kyle Teel in the same frame.
- Contreras finished his at-bat, nearly homered, and was replaced at first base by Romy Gonzalez.
- Interim manager Chad Tracy said no X-ray was needed and Contreras was moving better after the game.
- The Red Sox won 5-0, their fifth straight, climbing within six games of .500 for the first time since May.
What happened to Willson Contreras against the White Sox?
Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras was forced out of Wednesday night's game at Rate Field after fouling a ball hard off the top of his left foot in the top of the third inning. Known for his toughness, he stayed in the at-bat, flew out to the center-field fence on a swing that nearly cleared the wall, and even took the field at first base to start the bottom half.
One batter later, after Luisangel Acuna singled, Contreras was replaced by Romy Gonzalez. The team announced he exited with a left foot contusion. According to MLB.com, the injury struck just as Contreras had been added to the All-Star team and accepted a Home Run Derby invitation.
How did Anthony Seigler get hurt in the same inning?
In one stretch, Boston lost the entire right side of its starting infield. During Contreras's at-bat, a wild pitch from Martin rolled to the backstop and Anthony Seigler sprinted home from third. He collided with White Sox catcher Kyle Teel and part of his equipment, scoring Boston's third run in a three-run third-inning outburst.
Seigler did not return for the bottom of the inning and was replaced by Andruw Monasterio. The Red Sox diagnosed him with a right trap contusion. Tracy said Seigler described the hit as almost like a stinger and that both infielders were doing better after the game.
How serious are the injuries, and is Contreras worried?
Contreras downplayed the damage. "I'm not concerned about anything worse than a bruise," he said, according to postgame reports. "We'll see how I feel tomorrow when I wake up." He added that pain is the only reason he leaves a game and that he wanted to address the foot immediately rather than risk making it worse.
Tracy told reporters Contreras was doing better after the game and would be reevaluated Thursday morning. The first baseman was moving well enough that Boston did not order X-rays. Tracy also said Contreras was able to put weight on the foot and move around more comfortably once inside the clubhouse.
What does this mean for the Red Sox's hot streak?
The 5-0 victory extended Boston's winning streak to five games and kept a perfect start to its road trip intact. Entering Wednesday, the Red Sox were 41-48 and had won nine of their last 11, climbing back toward contention in the American League East. Contreras entered the night batting .287 with 20 home runs, 61 RBIs and a .926 OPS, leading the club's offensive turnaround.
The win came at a cost. With a Thursday getaway game ahead and a pending suspension appeal hanging over Contreras, Boston may need to move quickly if either player requires an injured-list stint. For now, the club will hope its All-Star slugger and Anthony Seigler heal fast. Follow more breaking sports and tech coverage in our Future Tech & AI Wonders section.