MLB Suspends Cardinals’ Willson Contreras for Six Games

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras has been handed a six-game suspension by Major League Baseball (MLB) following a heated confrontation with an umpire during Monday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 33-year-old Venezuelan was also fined an undisclosed amount for his conduct after striking out on a called third strike in the bottom of the seventh inning of the Cardinals’ 7-6 victory.

Incident Overview

Contreras reacted angrily after being called out on a pitch near the lower edge of the strike zone. As he began to walk away, plate umpire Derek Thomas ejected him.

Following the ejection, Contreras had to be restrained by assistant coaches as he attempted to confront the umpire. In the scuffle:

• Assistant coach Brant Brown was accidentally struck by a bat thrown by Contreras.
• Contreras later threw a container of gum from the dugout onto foul territory.
• According to umpire crew chief Jordan Baker, Contreras also made physical contact with an umpire.

Contreras strongly denied this claim, stating:“I didn’t make any contact with the umpire. I wasn’t going to make contact with the umpire.”

After the game, Contreras defended himself: “I don’t think he had a cause to throw me out. I didn’t argue any pitch. In that last at bat, all I said was, ‘Call that pitch for both sides ’cause you are missing for us.’”

Career Highlights

Contreras, who began his MLB career with the Chicago Cubs in 2016, was a crucial part of the team’s historic World Series triumph that same year. After seven seasons in Chicago, he signed a five-year, $87.5 million deal with the Cardinals in 2023.