Willson Contreras Adjusts to Major League Baseball Suspension Schedule
Major League Baseball reduced the initial seven-game suspension handed to Willson Contreras to five games following an appeal. The first baseman began serving the ban immediately on Thursday, July 9. Contreras will miss the final game against the Chicago White Sox and the three-game weekend series against the New York Mets. He will also be sidelined for the first game back after the All-Star break on July 17, which is a day-night doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Contreras will be eligible to return to the lineup for the second game of that doubleheader. Despite the suspension, league officials confirmed he remains eligible to participate in the Home Run Derby on Monday and the AL All-Star team on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Chad Tracy Navigates Left Foot Contusion and Roster Depth
The timing of the suspension coincides with a physical injury for the Red Sox star. During a 5-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, July 8, Contreras suffered a left foot contusion after fouling a ball hard off the top of his left foot in the top of the third inning. Though he initially stayed in the game, he was hobbling while trying to play defense and exited one batter into the bottom of the third.
“So when I’m in pain, that’s the only way I’m coming off the field,” Contreras said Wednesday night. Regarding his status, he added, “I think it’s day to day. I’m not concerned about anything worse than just a bruise.” Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy noted that the team did not perform X-rays because of how well Contreras was moving when he went back inside. On Thursday, his foot was wrapped and he was still limping. “I was hoping it would get reduced,” said Tracy. “So now it’s our job to win some ballgames without him until we get him back.”
The Red Sox recalled corner infielder Brett Harris from Triple-A Worcester before Thursday’s game to provide depth. Harris, 25, was acquired from the Athletics on July 1 and has hit .194 in 73 major league games since 2024. As part of the suspension rules, the Red Sox cannot call up another player and must play short-handed; the team also has Romy Gonzalez and Andruw Monasterio who can play first base.
Cade Cavalli and Nationals Teammates Face Disciplinary Sanctions
The discipline stems from an altercation on June 30 when Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli struck out Contreras and shouted, “Sit down, boy!” at him. Earlier in the game, Contreras had walked in front of Cavalli and brushed him slightly after retreating from the bases to the dugout. Contreras took exception to the remark, a melee ensued, and Contreras fired his helmet in the direction of Cavalli. Cavalli was remorseful, stating that using the word “boy” was not meant to disparage Contreras in any way and was used purely in a competitive context. Cavalli pledged to eliminate the word from his on-field vocabulary.
Cavalli also had his seven-game suspension reduced to five games. He began his suspension Monday and will not have to miss his next scheduled start on Sunday. Additionally, utilityman Nate Eaton had his suspension reduced to two games, which he served this Tuesday and Wednesday. Nationals starter Miles Mikolas has yet to hear about the appeal for his five-game suspension.
Willson Contreras Maintains Offensive Production for Boston
The 34-year-old Contreras has been the heart of the lineup and clubhouse during a tumultuous season. He is batting .285 with 16 doubles, a team-leading 20 home runs, and 61 RBIs with a .921 OPS. Contreras has appeared in all but two games this season, starting 86 at first base. He is currently on pace to surpass his career-high 24 home runs set in 2019. The Red Sox enter the break having won 10 of their last 12 games, including sweeps of the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels.
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