Willson Contreras -- Injury Report

Willson Contreras will miss the Boston Red Sox's Tuesday series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies due to a hand injury. The slugging first baseman was hit by a pitch during Sunday's game and left that contest. While interim manager Chad Tracy and Red Sox insider Chris Cotillo initially indicated cautious optimism about the injury with a possibility Contreras could play Tuesday pending a re-assessment, the Red Sox ultimately ruled him out of the lineup.

Contreras has been a key offensive contributor for Boston this season, batting .259 with 8 home runs and 23 RBIs in 135 at-bats. His absence will require the Red Sox to adjust their lineup, with Mickey Gasper moving to first base and Carlos Narvaez starting at catcher. The series opener begins at 6:45 p.m. ET at Fenway Park, with Jovani Moran opening and Brayan Bello expected to pitch the bulk of the innings.

Willson Contreras is returning to the Boston Red Sox lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies after missing Tuesday's contest due to a bruised right hand sustained from a hit by pitch. The injury was initially concerning enough to keep the player on the bench, but an initial scan came back negative. After one day of rest, the soreness and swelling subsided sufficiently for Contreras to return to action. He will resume his regular position at first base and bat in the cleanup spot. Mickey Gasper, who started at first base in Contreras's absence on Tuesday, will move to designated hitter. The quick recovery suggests the injury was minor, allowing Contreras to maintain his spot in the lineup for the Phillies matchup.

Willson Contreras left the Red Sox's May 4 game against Tampa Bay in the first inning after being struck on his right hand by a 94.2 mph fastball from Rays starter Nick Martinez. The Red Sox obtained a day off Monday before their three-game series against Philadelphia, providing additional recovery time. According to MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo, the organization is "cautiously optimistic" about Contreras' hand and does not expect him to require time on the injured list. The team will make a final decision on his availability for Tuesday's game at Fenway Park when he arrives.

Contreras has been one of the Red Sox's most productive offensive contributors this season. Through 39 games, he is batting .259/.380/.467 with an .846 OPS, leading the team with 8 home runs and 23 RBIs. Beyond his offensive production, Contreras has also excelled defensively at first base, ranking in the 98th percentile in outs above average with 5, which leads all MLB first basemen. Michael Busch of the Cubs ranks second at 4 outs above average.

The availability of Contreras is significant for Boston's lineup. The Red Sox have relied heavily on Contreras and Wilyer Abreu to carry offensive production throughout the 2026 season. While the initial outlook is positive, the organization has experienced instances earlier in the season where early optimism about injuries did not materialize, as occurred with Roman Anthony.

The Boston Red Sox received positive news regarding Willson Contreras ahead of Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. After leaving Sunday's game with a hand contusion from a hit-by-pitch and sitting out Tuesday's contest, Contreras returned to the lineup on Wednesday at first base. Interim manager Chad Tracy expressed confidence in Contreras' recovery, stating he was "doing a lot better" and "able to hit in the cage," with the team using Tuesday as a precautionary rest day rather than indicating a serious injury. Contreras has been a key offensive contributor this season with a .259 batting average, 8 home runs, and 23 RBIs, leading the Red Sox in both home runs and RBIs following an offseason trade acquisition. Beyond Contreras, the Red Sox are monitoring two other injured players: Roman Anthony, who is on the IL with a wrist sprain and showing incremental improvements with a potential weekend return, and Garrett Crochet, who became eligible to return on Tuesday but remains day-to-day.

Willson Contreras is progressing through recovery from a right hand contusion sustained during recent play. Interim manager Chad Tracy provided an update indicating significant improvement, noting that Contreras is experiencing decreased soreness and has successfully completed treatment and cage work. Tracy stated that Contreras took batting practice on Tuesday and is expected to be available for Wednesday's game, though he was kept out of the Tuesday lineup as a precautionary measure to ensure full recovery.

Contreras' return is significant given his offensive contributions and the current state of Boston's lineup. Prior to the injury, Contreras ranked second on the team with an .847 OPS, trailing only Wilyer Abreu's .850. He leads the Red Sox with 8 home runs and 23 RBI on the season. With Roman Anthony still on the injured list and the team struggling offensively, Contreras' availability is expected to provide relief to Boston's batting order.