Cardinals' Willson Contreras: Could start rehab games Tuesday
Rotowire
Contreras (forearm) is hoping to begin a rehab assignment around June 18, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Contreras is just five weeks into a projected 10-week timetable following surgery to repair a fractured left forearm, but Goold writes that the catcher is "eager to push the timetable for his return." He took batting practice in the cage Thursday and has been catching bullpen sessions without issue. If Contreras is indeed able to start a rehab assignment by Tuesday, he could be just a week or so away from activation.
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Cardinals' Willson Contreras: Taking full BP in cage
Rotowire
Contreras (forearm) will take full batting practice in the indoor batting cage Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Contreras is barely more than a month removed from surgery to repair a fractured left forearm. He was given a 10-week timetable to return following the operation but would appear to be ahead of schedule, given that he's already taking batting practice. Before being activated from the injured list, Contreras will surely need to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment, but it's uncertain when he might be cleared to join one of the Cardinals' affiliates for game action.
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Cardinals' Willson Contreras: Swinging bat
Rotowire
Contreras (forearm) hit soft toss Tuesday and caught a bullpen session, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Contreras had previously been throwing, running and catching, but Tuesday marks the first time he's swung a bat since undergoing surgery May 9. The 32-year-old also caught a bullpen from Nick Robertson on Tuesday, an encouraging sign considering the fractured wrist was on his glove hand. Still, it's been just over four weeks of what's expected to be a 10-week recovery period for Contreras, which puts a timeline for return in the middle of July.
Contreras (forearm) was throwing, catching and running on the field prior to Thursday's game against the Rockies, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Contreras has been participating in all three activities since the Cardinals' last stretch of road games. It's an encouraging sign that the 32-year-old backstop is recovering well from his fractured left forearm, but he still is not expected back until closer to the All-Star break. Until then, Ivan Herrera will continue to serve as St. Louis' primary catcher.
