The Boston Red Sox ended the 2026 season on a bit of a low, strange note after losing to the Chicago Cubs at Tropicana Field. But the game still brought a promising development — Willson Contreras started.
Contreras on September 17 was hit by a pitch on his hand. Contreras said his hand went numb for a few minutes following the hit and he believed he had a fracture, but imaging of the hand came back clear. The first baseman said as recently as September 24 that he couldn't swing a bat without pain, throwing his status for the Wild Card round into question.
But Contreras got some reps in against the Cubs at the last minute. His at-bats gave manager Chad Tracy enough confidence to say the veteran should be available during the Wild Card series against the New York Yankees.
Contreras only took two at-bats against Chicago but Tracy told reporters they were encouraged by the results. He fanned in the first inning and hit a hard grounder to third base two frames later. He left the game in the fifth inning before his third at-bat.
Willson Contreras will be available for Red Sox Wild Card round following brief appearance against Cubs
Contreras' return against the Cubs would've been more encouraging if he got on base, but the Red Sox need him in the Wild Card series, regardless. He's one of Bostons top offensive contributors all season and he was one of just three qualified hitters to finish this season with an OPS over .900.
Contreras slashed .275/.386/.516 with 21 doubles, three triples, a career-high 27 home runs and 81 RBI over 130 games this season. His power potential makes him Boston's biggest threat and Boston will need all the extra bases it can get against the Yankees' pitching staff — Cam Schlittler will start Game 1, Max Fried Game 2 and Gerrit Cole Game 3, if necessary.
The Red Sox are dealing with quite a few injuries at the start of the postseason with Contreras' being one of the more brutal ones for the fate of their offense. Ceddanne Rafaela also may not be at 100 percent following a quad injury and hamstring cramp soon after his activation from the injured list, but his and Contreras' availability will be key.
Contreras isn't the type of player to let an injury keep him out of playoff action. He's the type of player the Red Sox need to keep them in a playoff headspace — he knows how to get his teammates going and his electric attitude and gutsy play will be a difference maker in the rivalry series. Contreras has played through various injuries and ailments all season and it's finally time to make the struggle worth it.
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