Slumping Cardinals decide not to use Contreras at catcher
Two days before Willson Contreras' return to Wrigley Field with the Cardinals, St. Louis announced Contreras would be moved out of the catchers' role and play DH or outfield until further notice.
Heading into Saturday's game against Detroit, the Cardinals had the National League's worst record at 10-23. Contreras is hitting .280 with 2 home runs, but St. Louis' team ERA was 4.72, which ranks 10th in the NL.
"One thing I want to make super clear: We're not losing ballgames because Willson Contreras is behind the plate," Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said, according to mlb.com. "I want to be super clear on that."
There was talk Saturday about using Andrew Knizner as the primary catcher because he's been with the team for five seasons and is more familiar with the pitching staff. Contreras said he recently reached out to the retired Yadier Molina for advice.
"I talked to Yadi a few days because I was feeling guilty about it because I take the losses personally and I came here to win," Contreras said. "I'm not blaming anybody and I'm not pointing fingers at my pitchers because I'm on their side. But we need to be better at executing pitches with two strikes."
Contreras signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract with St. Louis as a free agent after the Cubs weren't interested in re-signing him. The Cubs and Cardinals open a three-game series at Wrigley Field on Monday.
Remembering Wood:
Saturday marked the 25th anniversary of Kerry Wood's 20-strikeout game against the Astros at Wrigley Field. Wood was on hand to throw out the first pitch and sing the seventh-inning stretch Saturday, and Wood's highlights were shown a few times on the videoboard.
"He was playing with a Wiffle ball," said Cubs manager David Ross, who was playing A-ball in Yakima at the time. "He was throwing balls up there, you watch those highlights, I don't think I've ever seen a breaking ball like that. I don't know that we will.
"How hard he threw and the movement he was able to put on the baseball was electric on a cold day in Chicago. I tell him all the time when I see him, I wish I had been able to catch even a bullpen from him. That would have been a lot of fun. Impressive day, 20 punch-outs. Weren't any David Rosses in that (Houston) lineup either."
Gomes shows progress:
Yan Gomes, currently on the injured list with concussion symptoms, was wearing catching gear before Saturday's game, ramping up activity as he continues to improve. Gomes was struck in the head by a backswing last Monday in Washington and would be eligible to be activated Tuesday.
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