St. Louis Cardinals catcher/designated hitter Willson Contreras (ankle) is serving as the team's designated hitter on Saturday and batting third against the Detroit Tigers. The veteran backstop hurt his ankle in Friday's series opener against Detroit but he's healthy enough to take at-bats on Saturday, which is a good sign. Andrew Knizner is batting ninth and starting behind the plate and the Cards also called up Tres Barrera from Triple-A Memphis in case Contreras suffers any sort of setback with his ankle.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras is not playing on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants. It looks like a normal day of rest for Contreras in the series finale against the Giants. The 30-year-old Venezuelan backstop has gone 3-for-11 in the series with a walk and two strikeouts, and he's hitting a solid .275 (22-for-80) with six doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, two stolen bases and 11 runs scored in his first 24 games in his first year in St. Louis. When active, Contreras remains one of the better offensive catchers in fantasy baseball. With Contreras getting a breather on Thursday, Andrew Knizner is behind the plate and batting eighth for the Cards against Giants ace Logan Webb.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (knee) is out of the starting lineup on Saturday. Andrew Knizner is doing the catching and is batting eighth against Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman. Contreras left the Opening Day game early on Thursday with a knee contusion, but X-rays turned up negative on Friday and he's currently just day-to-day. His injury doesn't appear to be too serious, so fantasy managers shouldn't be without him for too long. When healthy, the 30-year-old backstop is one of the best offensive catchers in baseball. Knizner will be a low-upside, low-cost DFS option at the catching position Saturday.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (knee) is listed as day-to-day. The 30-year-old took a 103 mph pitch to his knee during Thursday's loss to the Blue Jays on opening day, forcing his premature exit from the contest. He had X-rays on Thursday, but fortunately, more testing on Friday confirmed he suffered a right knee contusion. Contreras signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract in December after spending his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He looked good in his debut for the Cards, amassing two hits in four at-bats while adding two runs. Nevertheless, fantasy managers are certainly pleased with the update. But in the meantime, Andrew Knizner is the favorite to handle things behind the plate until Contreras can return.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (knee) had X-rays taken after leaving Thursday's Opening Day loss to the Toronto Blue Jays with a knee contusion. The tests came back negative, but he's due for more imaging soon, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. Contreras was one of the Cardinals biggest additions in the offseason and has been one of the best offensive catchers since debuting in the league. In 2022, the 30-year-old slashed .243/.349/.466 with 22 home runs, 65 runs, 55 RBI, and four stolen bases. He's looking to bring that firepower to St. Louis, assuming he's healthy. Stay tuned for more information.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (knee) left the Opening Day game on Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays with a noticeable limp after he was hit in the right knee by a pitch while catching. Andrew Knizner is entering the game in his place. Fantasy managers will want to check back for updates on Contreras, but hopefully it's nothing serious. Before leaving, the 30-year-old backstop went 2-for-4 with a strikeout. Contreras signed a five-year, $87.5 million deal to stay in the National League Central after previously playing for the Chicago Cubs. He's one of the best hitting catchers in baseball, so hopefully he won't miss too much time.

The St. Louis Cardinals and catcher Willson Contreras agreed to a five-year, $87.5 million deal on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the deal. There were reports earlier on Wednesday that the two sides were closing in on a deal, and now it's official as the Cardinals find their replacement for the retired Yadier Molina. Contreras was the top offensive catcher on the open market this offseason, and he'll give an already strong Cardinals lineup an added boost at the catcher position. The 30-year-old three-time All-Star hit .243/.349/.466 with an .815 OPS, 22 home runs, 55 RBI, 65 runs scored and four stolen bases in 113 games in 2022 with the Cubs. Contreras has a .256/.349/.459 slash line with an .808 OPS in seven big-league seasons. Moving to St. Louis will make him even more attractive as a high-end fantasy catcher.

The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly one of the favorites for free-agent catcher Willson Contreras, per a tweet from The New York Post's Jon Heyman on Tuesday. Contreras enjoyed a solid season for both the Chicago Cubs and fantasy managers alike this past season, hitting .243 with a .349 on-base percentage in 487 plate appearances over the course of 113 games. The veteran catcher also added 22 home runs, four stolen bases and 55 RBI on the season while adding a career-high 65 runs scored. As of now, St. Louis' two catching options on the 40-man roster are Ivan Herrera and Andrew Knizner.

Free-agent catcher Willson Contreras' most likely landing spots are the Houston Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals. The Miami Marlins have also checked in on him, but Contreras will be pricey as the top available catcher this offseason. Christian Vazquez may be Plan B for the Cardinals, and he, too, has a nice market this winter. As expected, Contreras declined the Chicago Cubs' $19.65 million qualifying offer in order to hit the open market after the 2022 season. The 30-year-old backstop hit .243/.349/.466 with 22 home runs, 55 RBI, 65 runs scored and four stolen bases in 416 at-bats this year and remains one of the best offensive-minded catchers in the game. A move to Houston or St. Louis will only make him more attractive in fantasy.

Ken Rosenthal reported in The Athletic Tuesday that the Houston Astros have been in discussions with free-agent catcher Willson Contreras and plan to meet with him during the winter meetings. The 30-year-old proved once again to be a reliable backstop from a fantasy perspective and otherwise in 2022, slashing .243/.349/.466 with 22 home runs, 55 RBI and four stolen bases in 487 plate appearances. Rosenthal said the Astros would consider playing Contreras in left field and at designated hitter in addition to catching. Catcher is always a thin position for fantasy, so Contreras will remain a higher-end option, regardless of what team he goes to. However, his fantasy value would receive a boost if he were to join the 2022 World Champions.

Catcher Willson Contreras will reportedly not accept his qualifying offer from the Chicago Cubs, according to a tweet from ESPN's Jesse Rogers on Tuesday. The veteran is coming off one of his best seasons at the plate this past year. Contreras hit .243 in 487 plate appearances in 2022 to go along with a .349 on-base percentage. He also added 22 home runs and four stolen bases in those 487 plate appearances, finishing as one of fantasy baseball's best at his position.

The Houston Astros will be meeting with free-agent catcher Willson Contreras at the general manager meetings this week. The Astros' tentative traded at the deadline in August for Contreras was nixed by owner Jim Crane. Manager Dusty Baker loves Martin Maldonado catching Houston's great pitchers. The 30-year-old All-Star backup already declined the Cubs' $19.65 million qualifying offer and became a free agent on Tuesday. Along with the Astros, the Detroit Tigers are also interested, but plenty more teams will be joining the list in the coming days. Contreras hit .243/.349/.466 with an .815 OPS, 22 home runs, 55 RBI, 65 runs scored and four stolen bases in 416 for Chicago in 2022, and one of the best hitting catchers in baseball should become more attractive in fantasy if he signs with a contending team this offseason.

The Chicago Cubs are extending the $19.65 million qualifying offer to catcher Willson Contreras, but he is declining it and will become a free agent. The strong two-way catcher should do very well on the open market this offseason after slashing .243/.349/.466 with an .815 OPS, 22 home runs, 55 RBI, 65 runs scored and four stolen bases in 487 plate appearances over 113 games in what will likely be his final season in Chicago. The Detroit Tigers are reportedly already interested in the three-time All-Star backstop, and more teams will quickly jump into the mix for one of the best hitting catchers in baseball. If he lands with a contending team, as expected, his fantasy upside should only increase in a better lineup.

According to a tweet from MLB Network's Jon Morosi on Tuesday, the Detroit Tigers are reportedly interested in catcher Willson Contreras. Morosi tweeted: "#Tigers are looking at the catching market as the offseason begins. They're interested in free agent Willson Contreras, whom Scott Harris knows from his tenure in Chicago. @MLBNetwork." Contreras enjoyed a strong season with the Chicago Cubs in 2022, batting .243 with a .349 on-base percentage, 22 home runs, four stolen bases, and a career-high 132 wRC+ in 487 plate appearances. As of now, the Tigers' current catching options include Eric Haase, Michael Papierski, and Jake Rogers.

Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said the team will "definitely" give catcher Willson Contreras a qualifying offer this winter, as expected. Contreras will almost certainly decline the qualifying offer and enter free agency in search of a long-term contract elsewhere. It was a surprise that he wasn't traded at the Aug. 2 deadline during the summer, but he instead remained with the Cubs all year and finished with a .243/.349/.466 slash line, an .815 OPS, 22 home runs, 55 RBI, 65 runs scored and four stolen bases in 416 at-bats. No matter where Contreras is playing in 2023, the three-time All-Star should remain one of the more attractive bats at the shallowest fantasy position.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras isn't starting on Wednesday as the Cubs take on the Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Graham Ashcraft. Contreras is batting .234 with a .349 on-base percentage, 22 home runs and four stolen bases in 487 plate appearances for the Cubs this year. Instead, it'll be P.J. Higgins hitting seventh and starting behind the plate. Higgins is batting .227 with a .303 on-base percentage and six home runs in 224 plate appearances this season. The 29-year-old could be worth a look as a streaming option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues where on-base percentage is part of the scoring.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras is not in the starting lineup on Friday against the Cincinnati Reds. Contreras appears to just be getting a normal day of rest to start the weekend series against Cincinnati. The 30-year-old All-Star backstop has played in just three games in September due to injury and has gone 2-for-12 with a double, and four strikeouts. Overall, he's slashing .243/.346/.464 with an .810 OPS, 21 homers, 54 RBI, 63 runs scored and four stolen bases in 407 at-bats. Yan Gomes is behind the dish and is hitting seventh on Friday against Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft. Gomes won't be a very attractive low-cost DFS option. He's gone 2-for-22 (.091) with no homers, two RBI and seven strikeouts in his last six games.

The Chicago Cubs reinstated catcher Willson Contreras (ankle) from the injured list on Tuesday and also reinstated outfielder Seiya Suzuki from the paternity list. In corresponding moves, the Cubs optioned Jared Young to the minors and designated outfielder Michael Hermosillo for assignment. Contreras is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third against Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler on Tuesday, while Suzuki isn't in the starting lineup. Contreras might be eased back into his role as the regular catcher, but the 30-year-old should be returned to starting fantasy lineups on Tuesday. He has 21 home runs and 54 RBI on the year in 395 at-bats for the Cubbies. Suzuki should eventually return to an everyday role in the outfield down the stretch.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (ankle) has progressed to light agility work in a running progression. Contreras sprained his left ankle recently and was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sept. 6. The Cubs have no reason to rush the 30-year-old All-Star back in a lost season, but it's good news that he's moving in the right direction. Skipper David Ross said that Contreras is likely around a week from returning to the team. Yan Gomes will continue to do most of the catching, while P.J. Higgins will occasionally mix in. Contreras made his third All-Star team this year and is currently hitting .246/.351/.471 with an .822 OPS, 21 home runs, 54 RBI, 63 runs scored and four stolen bases in 107 games. Keep him stashed everywhere.

An MRI exam on Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (ankle) on Wednesday confirmed that he's dealing with a left ankle sprain. Contreras was placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to return when he's first eligible on Sept. 13. The 30-year-old has been one of the better catching options for fantasy managers this year, hitting .246/.351/.471 with an .822 OPS, 21 home runs, 54 RBI, 63 runs scored and four stolen bases in 462 plate appearances over 107 games played. However, fantasy managers may not get all that much production out of him the rest of the way in September. In his absence, Yan Gomes and P.J. Higgins will split playing time behind the plate in Chicago.