Jim Rassol - USA Today Sports
Jim Rassol - USA Today Sports

Cubs News: Willson Contreras moved out of catcher role


by - Senior Editor -

Former Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras shocked many fans when he signed a five-year, $87.5 million deal with the rival St. Louis Cardinals this offseason.

It hasn't worked out well for the Redbirds, as they have a woeful 10-24 record this season.

One reason is Cardinals pitchers have a terrible 5.04 ERA when Contreras catches them. The number drops an entire run when others catch them on the ball club.

The Cardinals have had enough of his mediocre catching and will relegate him to the DH role moving forward.

“We’re not losing ballgames because of Willson Contreras,” manager Oliver Marmol said. “He will DH a decent amount moving forward, and then we have a strategy as to what that looks like beyond that.”

Contreras is disappointed but will focus on the hitting to help his team.

“It’s tough,” Contreras said. “I know that my primary position is catching. If they want me to DH more, I can do nothing about it but be the best hitter I can be.”

For the season, Contreras is batting .277 batting average, with two home runs and 14 RBIs.

The Cardinals added a third catcher to the active roster when they called up Tres Barrera on Saturday.

Contreras and the Cardinals will begin a series with the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday.

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