Boston Red Sox All-Star First Baseman Departs Series Opener in Los Angeles Following Scary Hit-by-Pitch
The injury hits just keep on coming for the Boston Red Sox. All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras was forced to depart Friday's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning after taking a terrifying pitch to the helmet.
Here is a complete breakdown of how the scary incident unfolded at Dodger Stadium and what it means for Boston moving forward.
What Happened During the At-Bat?
With the Red Sox holding a 1-0 lead over the reigning back-to-back World Series Champion Dodgers in the top of the third inning, Contreras stepped to the plate. Los Angeles right-handed reliever Will Klein was on the mound with runners on first and third and only one out.
The at-bat was immediately dangerous:
- Pitch 1: Klein delivered a 95 mph fastball up around Contreras's head, forcing the slugger to fall backward to avoid being hit.
- Pitch 2: Klein threw a sweeper on the outside corner, which Contreras fouled off to even the count at 1-1.
- Pitch 3: Klein went back upstairs with another 95.4 mph fastball, this time striking Contreras directly in the left side of his helmet.
The Immediate Aftermath
Despite the scary sequence, Contreras remarkably walked to first base under his own power. Third base coach Chad Epperson immediately ran up the line to check on the Boston slugger, while interim manager Chad Tracy and an athletic trainer spilled out of the dugout. After a brief conversation with Tracy and the medical staff, Contreras put his helmet back on and took his base.
Following the hit-by-pitch, the Dodgers pulled Klein for Cole Irvin. Boston designated hitter Masataka Yoshida then stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. Yoshida hit a sharp ground ball that Los Angeles first baseman Freddie Freeman misplayed, allowing two runners to score and advancing Contreras to second. Irvin eventually retired third baseman Caleb Durbin and shortstop Andruw Monasterio in order to end the inning, but the Red Sox extended their early lead to 3-0.
The Departure and Lineup Shuffle
While Contreras initially stayed on the basepaths to finish out the top half of the third inning, his night ended shortly after.
When the Red Sox took the field in the bottom of the third, Contreras was noticeably absent. To adjust for his departure:
- Nick Sogard slid over from second base to take over at first base.
- Anthony Seigler entered the game off the bench to play second base, assuming the No. 5 spot in the lineup.
An Injury the Red Sox Simply Cannot Afford
Already starved for power, a lengthy absence for Contreras is a blow the Boston offense can ill afford. The All-Star first baseman has been the absolute anchor of the Red Sox lineup, proving to be their best and most consistent hitter throughout the 2026 MLB season.
Currently, Contreras leads the team across all major offensive categories:
| Stat Category | 2026 Season Total |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .288 |
| On-Base Percentage (OBP) | .396 |
| Slugging Percentage (SLG) | .547 |
| OPS | .943 |
| Home Runs | 23 |
| RBI | 67 |
Boston will now wait with bated breath for medical updates on their star first baseman, hoping he avoided a serious concussion or facial injury that could sideline him during a critical stretch of the season.
Stay tuned to our blog for further updates on Willson Contreras's injury status and all the latest Boston Red Sox news.