Willson Contreras Leaves Red Sox Game Following Hit By Pitch

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The Boston Red Sox ended the week with another noteworthy injury scare.

Willson Contreras exited Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays after getting hit by a pitch for an MLB-leading eighth time this season. The Red Sox announced, per MassLive's Chris Cotillo, that Contreras sustained a right hand contusion.

Contreras got plunked on the hand by a Nick Martinez fastball in the first inning. While he initially stayed in the game to run the bases, Andruw Monasterio took his spot at first base to begin the next frame.

Boston entered Sunday's game with an American League-low .668 OPS, but Contreras has started his Red Sox tenure strong. The 33-year-old is batting .259/.380/.467 with a team-high eight home runs and 23 RBIs.

Contreras has reached base in 14 straight games since moving to the No. 2 spot in Boston's batting order on April 25. His .406 expected weighted on-base average ranks 12th among all qualified hitters.

The Red Sox are already without Roman Anthony, who went on the injured list Thursday with a sprained right wrist. Aside from Contreras, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela are their only other hitters with an OPS of .750 or higher this season.

An extended absence could yield more playing time for Monasterio, who has two hits in as many at-bats since replacing Contreras.

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