Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras was moved to the suspended list Friday and will miss the weekend series against the San Francisco Giants after Major League Baseball ruled on his appeal of a six-game suspension.
The suspension was reduced to four games, as the Post-Dispatch reported was likely Friday afternoon. The Cardinals announced MLB's decision along with other roster moves before the start of the three-game visit from the Giants.
The Cardinals return to catcher Yohel Pozo to the active roster from the seven-day concussion list. Pozo has been able to participate in baseball activities in the past several days. To create an spot on the active 28-player roster, the Cardinals optioned infielder Cesar Prieto to Class AAA Memphis.
Alec Burleson is not eligible to return from the 10-day injured list, leaving the Cardinals without both of their usual first baseman during Contreras' suspension. Third baseman Nolan Gorman is likely to start at first. Any other move to replace Contreras or bring up a first baseman would require clearing another spot on the roster.
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Contreras was initially suspended six games for his actions on the field Aug. 25 that included furiously arguing with the home plate umpire. Contreras had to be restrained by manager Oli Marmol, bench coach Daniel Descalso, and others. Contreras tossed a bat behind him and toward people as he left the field. That bat glanced off hitting coach Brant Brown.
Contreras told his manager, the team, and the media that he vehemently denied saying anything foul to provoke home-plate umpire Derek Thomas. Contreras said he responded so angrily when Thomas ejected him for, in Contreras' words, saying something he did not say.
Crew chief Jordan Baker told a pool reporter that Contreras was ejected for saying "vulgar stuff."
“There was contact made," Baker added after the game when talking to a pool reporter. "We’re going to review the tape and what the office sends to us, and we’ll send it in, send the report in to Major League Baseball and let them handle that part of it.â€
Contreras leads the Cardinals with 20 home runs and his smooth transition to first base from catcher has been one of the highlights of the season for the club.
His absence means the Cardinals' lineup will lack All-Star Brendan Donovan, longtime cleanup hitter Nolan Arenado, leading hitter Burleson, and the team's home run leader. Arenado and Donovan are, like Burleson, on the injured list.
This story will be updated.
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