Boston Red Sox All-Star First Baseman Departs Series Opener in Los Angeles with Apparent Injury

The injury hits just keep on coming for the Boston Red Sox as All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras departed Friday's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning after being hit by a pitch. 

Here's what you need to know: 

Visit michezonews.co.za for more information.

What happened

With the Red Sox leading the reigning back-to-back World Series Champion Dodgers 1-0 in the top of the third inning, Contreras stepped to the plate against Los Angeles reliever Will Klein with runners on first and third and only one out. 

Klein's first pitch to the All-Star first baseman was a 95 mph fastball up around the head of Contreras, causing him to fall backward out of the way of the pitch. Klein then went to a sweeper on the outside corner of the plate, which Contreras fouled off to even up the count 1-1. Klein once again went upstairs with the fastball, this time hitting Contreras in the helmet with the pitch. 

Will Klein knocked Wilson Contreras down on a pitch up and in, then two pitches later hit Contreras in the helmet.

Contreras walked to first base on his own power and is currently still in the game. pic.twitter.com/8xtfcuJw8g

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) August 1, 2026

Third base coach Chad Epperson immediately ran up the third base line to check on the Boston slugger as interim manager Chad Tracy and an athletic trainer spilled out of the dugout. After a brief conversation with Tracy and the trainer, Contreras put on his helmet and took his base. 

After a pitching change, Boston designated hitter Masataka Yoshida stepped to the plate against Cole Irvin with the bases loaded and one out, sharply hit a ground ball at Los Angeles first baseman Freddie Freeman, who misplayed the ball, allowing two runners to score, advancing Contreras to second. 

After Yoshida's RBI single, Irvin retired third baseman Caleb Durbin and shortstop Andruw Monasterio in order to end the inning with the Red Sox extending their lead to three, 3-0.

Jul 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Boston Red Sox infielderWillsonContreras(40) and Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Eliezer Alfonzo (64) react afterContreraswas hit in the head with a pitch during the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

However, when the Red Sox took the field in the bottom of the inning, it was Nick Sogard who slid from second base to first, with utility man Anthony Seigler replacing Contreras in the lineup, playing second base. 

An injury the Red Sox cannot afford

Already starved for power, a lengthy absence for Contreras is not one the Boston offense can afford. The All-Star first baseman has been the Red Sox best, and most consistent hitter in 2026, leading the team in batting average (.288), on-base percentage (.396), slugging percentage (.547), OPS (.943), home runs (23), and RBI (67). 

We'll know more on Contreras' condition when Tracy meets with the media at the conclusion of the contest. 

Read full story at source