Red Sox Place Willson Contreras on 10-Day Injured List

Boston Red Sox slugger Willson Contreras was placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday due to a lingering left hamstring strain that has hampered the power hitter for more than a month, according to interim manager Chad Tracy reported by the Associated Press. Contreras, 34, leads the team with 26 home runs and 79 RBIs in his first season following an offseason trade from St. Louis.

“Salió el otro día; no quiero dar la impresión de que ocurrió algo mucho peor,” Tracy told reporters ahead of a three-game series against Seattle, noting that the injury is a recurrence of previous discomfort.

Tracy explained the decision to halt the veteran’s playing time during a roster discussion, stating via the Associated Press, “Simplemente llegó a un punto en el que, ya sabes, si tenemos que darle unos días más para que se calme, es difícil estar cortos de personal.” The team ultimately concluded that mandatory rest would benefit both the player and the club’s roster flexibility for the remainder of the schedule.

“¿Cómo hacemos esto para que lo supere por completo, que tenga el descanso que necesita y esté con nosotros para el empuje final? Nos reunimos como grupo y sentimos que este era el mejor curso de acción,” Tracy added, according to the Associated Press.

Contreras previously showed signs of the leg issue on Aug. 8 during a loss to the Athletics when he broke into a slow trot on a routine ground ball, drawing jeers from fans at Fenway Park. He addressed reporters days later, confirming the training staff had been aware of his physical limitations.

“Si ya me conoces, sabes que juego al 100% día tras día. Tenían que tener una razón para que yo no corriera las bases, y la tenía. Mi cuerpo técnico lo sabía,” Contreras said, as reported by the Associated Press.

To fill the roster vacancy left by Contreras, Boston recalled switch-hitter Mickey Gasper from Triple-A. Gasper, 30, has accumulated five home runs and 19 RBIs with the Red Sox this season.

In addition to the roster move involving Contreras, Tracy announced on Monday that Sonny Gray will have his next scheduled start pushed back from Tuesday to Saturday. Gray currently leads Boston in wins with a 16-4 record and a 2.82 ERA.

“Que descanse el cuerpo y asegurarnos de que también esté a tope en la recta final,” Tracy said regarding the decision to rest the right-hander, according to the Associated Press.

The Red Sox entered play on Monday holding a comfortable lead for the second of three American League wild-card spots with 25 regular-season games remaining on their schedule.