The injury bug keeps on biting the Boston Red Sox, who saw first baseman Willson Contreras depart from Sunday's series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays after being hit by a pitch.
The hits keep on coming for the struggling Boston Red Sox, who fell to 17-23 on the season after a 4-1 loss in Sunday's series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox entered Sunday's rubber match already down two of their most important players, outfielder Roman Anthony and starter Garrett Crochet, due to injuries. Now, Boston will have to hold their breath yet again after first baseman Willson Contreras exited Sunday's loss after being hit by a pitch in the first inning. Here's what we know:
What happened?
With the Red Sox trailing 1-0 in the first inning, Contreras was struck in the right hand by the third pitch, a 94.2 m.p.h. sinker, from Tampa Bay starter Nick Martinez. After a discussion on the field with interim manager Chad Tracy and head athletic trainer Brandon Henry, Contreras would stay in the game, taking first base.
Martinez would retire Boston's next two hitters, right fielder Wilyer Abreu via a line drive to first, and Masataka Yoshida via a ground out to second, to retire the side.
When Boston took the field for the top half of the second inning, Contreras was replaced by utility man Andruw Monasterio at first base. The Red Sox announced that Contreras exited the game due to a right-hand contusion. He was later seen by the NESN cameras in the Red Sox dugout with his right hand wrapped.
What are they saying about the injury?
Tracy was asked about Contreras after the game and told reporters that the initial scans came back clean. "Sore, that's all we know at this point," Tracy said of his first baseman, "obviously, we have an off-day tomorrow, that helps a lot, we'll reevaluate him tomorrow and the next day and see how he feels," he continued.
An injury the Boston offense cannot afford
The Boston offense has struggled immensely in its first 39 games of the 2026 season, ranking in the bottom 10 in baseball in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and wRC+. Contreras, however, has been one of the most consistent hitters in the struggling offense, leading the team with 8 home runs and ranking second in OPS and wRC+.
The Red Sox are already without one of their most important hitters in outfielder Roman Anthony, who was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday afternoon with a right wrist sprain. Now they risk losing Contreras for some time as well, as he nurses the hand injury.
After Sunday's loss, the Red Sox stand at 17-23 and in last place in the American League East. They will be off on Monday before welcoming the Philadelphia Phillies to Fenway Park for a three-game series that gets underway on Tuesday night.
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