Willson Contreras Facing Extended Absence After Suffering Left Arm Fracture

During a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets, catcher Willson Contreras suffered a left forearm fracture. The injury was caused by a swing from J.D. Martinez. 

According to video analysis by a panel of Pro Baseball Docs, Contreras sustained a "nightstick" fracture of the ulna, which is a common type of forearm fracture often resulting from direct trauma.

The situation leading to the injury seems to have involved catcher interference, which typically occurs when a catcher is positioned too close to the batter, thus interfering with the batter’s swing. 

In this case, Contreras was reportedly framing pitches very close to the batter, which put him directly in the path of Martinez's swing. As Martinez executed his swing, his bat struck Contreras' left forearm, leading to the fracture.

Given the nature of the injury, Contreras will likely be moved to the 60-day injured list (IL) on a later fate. A "nightstick" fracture can require a significant recovery period, potentially keeping Contreras out for multiple months, with a chance for a return late in the season. 

In the interim, Ivan Herrera will likely take over catching duties for the Cardinals. The team will miss Contreras' presence both defensively and offensively, and Herrera will have an increased role during Contreras' recovery.