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<\/p>\nThe St. Louis Cardinals are entering Sunday with a 72-77 record, and with a four-game deficit in the NL wild card race, a playoff berth is possible but highly unlikely.<\/p>\n
With the season coming to an end and the organization set to undergo changes at the top\u2014Chaim Bloom taking over as president of baseball operations in place of John Mozeliak\u2014first baseman Willson Contreras figures to be a key veteran presence as the team leans on its youth movement.<\/p>\n
Contreras made it clear at the trade deadline that he intends to fulfill his contract with St. Louis and does not want to be moved, regardless of whether the franchise enters a rebuilding phase.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old transitioned from catcher to first base at the start of the season to try and play more games, and it has paid off as he\u2019s logged 134 entering Sunday\u2014the most games he\u2019s ever played with the Cardinals. Contreras has produced at the plate too, posting a .255 batting average, .342 on-base percentage, .786 OPS, 20 home runs and 79 RBIs.<\/p>\n
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Oli Marmol Shares Latest Update on Willson Contreras<\/strong><\/p>\n Contreras leads the entire National League in hit by pitches with 23, and that trend continued on Saturday when he was drilled twice but still finished the game.<\/p>\n Ahead of Sunday\u2019s series finale with the Milwaukee Brewers, Cardinals manager Oli Marmol removed Contreras from the lineup and announced he\u2019s \u201cpretty beat up.\u201d Marmol added that he may be available off the bench to pinch hit if needed. (h\/t Jeff Jones of Belleview News-Democrat)<\/p>\n Willson Contreras is \u201cpretty beat up,\u201d Marmol said, on top of wearing two HBP last night. Might be available to hit later in the game.<\/p>\n Brendan Donovan was planned off today, day after night. Less likely to be used than Contreras.<\/p>\n Willson Contreras is \u201cpretty beat up,\u201d Marmol said, on top of wearing two HBP last night. Might be available to hit later in the game. <\/p>\n Brendan Donovan was planned off today, day after night. Less likely to be used than Contreras.<\/p>\n — Jeff Jones (@jmjones) September 14, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n