Willson Contreras Takes a Fastball to the Hand and Exits Boston's Game Against Tampa Bay

Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras is done for Sunday after taking a fastball from Tampa Bay's Nick Martinez right on the hand in the bottom of the first inning. The bruised right hand forced him out of the game early, leaving Boston to figure out its lineup without him as the Rays continued their assault at Fenway.

The Hit That Changed the Game

Martinez's fastball found Contreras' right hand, and the Red Sox catcher knew immediately he was in trouble. He shook out his hand in pain but couldn't continue, heading to the dugout and then to the clubhouse. It's the kind of injury that lingers, especially for a guy who uses his hands every single day behind the plate and at the plate.

What's Next for Boston

The Red Sox now have to navigate the rest of their matchup against Tampa Bay without one of their core hitters. A bruised hand can affect everything from grip strength to swing mechanics, so getting Contreras out of the game was the right call. The team will need to monitor him closely heading into the next few games to see how the injury affects his availability.

This is exactly the kind of thing that can derail a team's momentum in May when every win counts and health is everything.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.