The Red Sox plan to have Contreras (shoulder) split his playing time between first base and designated hitter, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Triston Casas' recovery from a ruptured patellar tendon is coming along well and there's a chance he's ready for Opening Day, but the acquisition of Contreras allows the Red Sox to slow-play Casas, if needed. Contreras is coming back from a shoulder injury of his own but is expected to be fine for spring training. When both players are healthy, they should soak up most of the reps between first base and DH, though Casas does have minor-league options remaining.

St. Louis traded Contreras (shoulder) to the Red Sox on Sunday for a package that includes pitcher Hunter Dobbins (knee), Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras spent the past three seasons with St. Louis after beginning his career with seven campaigns as a Cub. He transitioned to first base full time last year, with all 120 of his appearances in the field coming at that position after he spent his first nine seasons primarily as a catcher. Contreras reportedly informed Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom in September that he was unwilling to waive his no-trade clause, but Passan's report suggests that the 33-year-old has since had a change of heart. He'll fill a considerable gap at first base for the Red Sox, as they lost Abraham Toro to free agency Friday and DFA'd Nathaniel Lowe in November. Contreras' loss of catcher eligibility reduces his fantasy appeal considerably, but he showed in his final season in St. Louis that he can still be moderately productive, slashing .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs, 80 RBI, 70 runs and five stolen bases over 562 plate appearances. He ended the campaign on the IL due to a right shoulder strain, though it's unclear if that injury will impact his readiness for spring training.

Contreras (shoulder) informed incoming Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom during a conversation Friday that he wishes to remain with the team rather than waive his no-trade clause in order to facilitate a deal, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras did hedge a bit, saying he expects the Cardinals to explore the trade market for him this offseason and he would listen if they came to him with a potential deal. However, his preference is to stay put, saying he "would like to be a part of the young team that is going to need to have some of experience around them." Contreras has two years and $36.5 million remaining on his contract, along with a $17.5 million club option (or $5 million buyout) for 2028. The 33-year-old is already done for the 2025 season, having been placed on the 10-day injured list earlier this month with a right shoulder strain.

The Cardinals placed Contreras on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right shoulder strain.

EDGE Analysis

The injury had previously been labeled as a biceps strain, but either way, it will end Contreras' season. He slashed .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs and 80 RBI over 135 games in his first season as a full-time first baseman. Alec Burleson will take over at first base for the Cardinals down the stretch, which should lead to more playing time in the outfield for Jordan Walker.

The Cardinals will place Contreras (biceps) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right biceps strain, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The strain is considered mild, but it is bad enough to end the first baseman's season with less than two weeks remaining. Contreras will finish 2025 with a .257/.344/.447 batting line, 20 home runs and 80 RBI over 135 games. Alec Burleson will take over as the team's everyday first baseman down the stretch, opening up more playing time in the outfield for Jordan Walker and others.

Contreras (biceps) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras was held out of Sunday's game in Milwaukee due to right biceps tightness and had to be pulled from Monday's contest against the Reds when it flared up on him. To this point, he is considered day-to-day. Alec Burleson will play first base for the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Contreras was removed from Monday's game against the Reds due to right biceps tightness, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras was back in the starting lineup Monday after sitting out of Sunday's series finale against Milwaukee due to biceps soreness, but he was pulled in the bottom of the seventh inning due to the same issue. The 33-year-old can be considered day-to-day considering the nature of his injury.

Contreras (soreness) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Monday's contest versus the Reds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras didn't play in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Brewers due to general soreness after he was hit by a pitch on two occasions Saturday, but he's back in the lineup after one day of rest. The 33-year-old has collected a .786 OPS with 20 home runs and 30 doubles in 2025 in his first season as a full-time first baseman.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers, with manager Oliver Marmol saying the first baseman is "pretty beat up" after being hit by a pitch twice Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras is no stranger to hit-by-pitches, as he's now been plunked three times in the past three games and 23 times overall this year. The 33-year-old doesn't seem to be dealing with any serious injuries and could be available off the bench Sunday.

Contreras (suspension) was added to the active roster and will bat fourth while starting at first base Tuesday against Seattle.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras' six-game suspension was reduced to four games following an appeal, which will allow him to return for the second game of St. Louis' series against the Mariners. The 33-year-old's .786 OPS represents his worst mark since he joined the Cardinals in 2023, though he went 5-for-18 with a homer and five RBI across his last five games before serving his suspension.