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Willson Contreras hits the disabled list today. Hopefully, it won’t be for too long.
Official word from Cubs is "moderate" hamstring strain for WC. Typical is 4-6 weeks but they will re-evaluate after 2.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) August 11, 2017
Willson Contreras will take 2 weeks off in hopes of getting pain-free, at which point #Cubs can ramp up rehab process with hamstring.
— Patrick Mooney (@CSNMooney) August 11, 2017
According to this Sun-Times article, Contreras will miss at least two weeks and possibly as much as a month, but might still be able to be back for the last couple of weeks of the regular season.
Victor Caratini, who is in Phoenix for tonight’s game, has played in 11 games for the Cubs this year, starting five (and the Cubs are 4-1 in games he has started). He’s hitting .192/.250/.385 (5-for-26) and hit his first big-league home run July 30 against the Brewers, the day before he was sent back to Iowa to make room for Alex Avila.
Avila will likely get the bulk of the playing time in Contreras’ absence, but Caratini, a switch-hitter, could get some starts against lefthanders. Caratini could also play first base on occasion if Anthony Rizzo needs an off day.
At Iowa Caratini was hitting .344/.387/.557, with 24 doubles and 10 home runs in 273 at-bats.
The good news is that Contreras should be back for the stretch run, and the Cubs sure could use his bat. Heal fast, Willson, and we’ll all welcome you back come September.