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Red Sox's Contreras Faces Injury Concern Ahead of Wild-Card Series

First baseman Willson Contreras may miss the AL wild-card series due to hand injury.

New York Editorial News Desk September 24, 2026 1 min read

The Brief

  • Contreras reported hand pain preventing bat use after Thursday's loss.
  • Injury dates back to Sept. 17 when he was hit by a pitch.
  • Nick Sogard set to fill first base role with limited offensive impact.

Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras may be unable to play in the AL wild-card series due to a hand injury. Contreras indicated he is unable to swing a bat without experiencing pain in his hand.

The injury has been ongoing since Sept. 17, when Contreras was hit by a pitch. Red Sox beat writer Chris Cotillo reported significant concern about Contreras' availability for the postseason.

If Contreras is unavailable, Nick Sogard is expected to take over first base duties. While Sog,ard has had a solid season with a .258 batting average and five home runs, his performance is not comparable to Contreras' .276 average and 27 home runs.

The Red Sox offense has struggled recently, scoring more than four runs in a game just once since Sept. 8. Contreras' potential absence could further challenge the team's offensive output.

Contreras has expressed determination to be ready for the postseason, even if not at full strength. However, the loss of his bat could significantly impact the team's chances.

The Red Sox have made an improbable second-half charge to secure a playoff spot, but the possible loss of Contreras may pose a major obstacle to their postseason aspirations.

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