With the 2024 season just underway, the St. Louis Cardinals are experiencing a string of setbacks. Despite hopes for improvement following a disappointing previous season, marked by their lowest win count since 1990, and bolstered by the signings of free-agent pitchers Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson, the team’s fortunes have taken a turn for the worse.
Their optimism was dashed when they lost their top hitter and starting catcher during a game in New York. Willson Contreras suffered a fractured left forearm after being struck by the powerful backswing of Mets designated hitter J.D.
Martinez while reaching for a pitch by Miles Mikolas. Contreras underwent surgery and is expected to miss up to eight weeks, delaying his return until after the All-Star break in mid-July.
Easily the standout performer in Oli Marmol’s 2024 roster, the catcher boasts impressive stats with a .280 batting average, .398 on-base percentage, and .551 slugging percentage over his 128 plate appearances. He leads the team in on-base percentage, slugging, and home runs.
A three-time All-Star, Contreras has achieved five 20-homer seasons in his career, with six already this year before his unfortunate injury.
Hailing from Venezuela, Contreras, whose brother William has also excelled as an All-Star catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, holds a career batting average of .258. His professional journey began with the Chicago Cubs in 2016, spanning nine years of remarkable performance.
Since the retirements of key players like catcher Yadier Molina, first baseman Albert Pujols, and pitcher Adam Wainwright, the Cardinals have been struggling. As of Thursday’s games, they remain at the bottom of the Central Division, trailing by six games with a 15-21 record.
Their poor performance at home, where they’ve only managed a 6-11 record, has been particularly surprising and disappointing.
With Contreras sidelined, rookie Ivan Herrera, despite a modest .234 batting average in limited appearances, is expected to take over catching duties, while another rookie, Pedro Pages, has been called up to provide backup support.
Despite consistent fan support – last year’s paid attendance at Busch Memorial Stadium ranked third in the NL at 3,241,091 – the fans are accustomed to winning and may be growing impatient.
The Cardinals haven’t secured a pennant since 2013 or a World Series since 2011.