As the Boston Red Sox come off a crushing 6-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins, the defeat underscored an overall rough night for the club. Adding to the concern, first baseman Wilson Contreras exited Tuesday’s game with lower back tightness. Manager Alex Cora said the issue is not considered serious, and the team is optimistic Contreras will avoid a stint on the injured list (h/t Tim Healey of the Boston Globe).
The update follows an impressive performance on April 12 against the St. Louis Cardinals, when Contreras went 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. Boston will look for him to recover quickly and return to the lineup at full strength.
With Contreras out of the lineup for the matchup against the Minnesota Twins, the Red Sox temporarily lose one of their most productive hitters during a critical early-season stretch. His absence opens the door for Andruw Monasterio to step in at first base for the game.
Contreras is coming off a strong 2025 season with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he appeared in 135 games and posted a .257 batting average, a .344 on-base percentage, and a .791 OPS, along with 20 home runs and 80 RBIs.
He has carried that momentum into his first 17 games with Boston, recording a .298 batting average, a .444 on-base percentage, and a .936 OPS, with three home runs and 11 RBIs. Those numbers are especially encouraging given how early it is in the season and highlight his importance to the lineup moving forward.
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First baseman Contreras has developed into one of the league’s premier hitters over the course of his career. Signed by the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent in 2009 at age 17, he spent several years in the minor leagues, transitioning from an infielder to a catcher before making his MLB debut in 2016.
He later signed a five-year, $87.5 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played from 2023 to 2025. Acquired by the Boston Red Sox in December 2025, Contreras waived his no-trade clause and reworked his contract through 2027.
A three-time All-Star and World Series champion, Contreras is known for elite offensive production, power to all fields, and consistent contact. He pairs that with strong athleticism, defensive versatility, a powerful arm, and high-energy leadership, making him a valuable long-term piece for Boston’s roster.
