Contreras went 3-for-3 with one double, a home run, a walk, five RBI and two runs scored in Friday's loss against the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras' three-run double put the Cardinals on the board in the third and his two-run homer in the ninth served as the final runs the Cards would score on the night. Following reaching base in 35 of his 64 plate appearances in July, Contreras has remained hot in August with a .370 average to go along with two home runs and eight RBIs.

Contreras is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

This looks to be a routine day of rest for Contreras, who has slashed .394/.482/.662 with four homers and seven doubles over his last 23 games (85 plate appearances) dating back to July 3. Andrew Knizner is catching and Nolan Arenado is serving as the Cardinals' designated hitter. Taylor Motter will play third base.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's loss to the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras cut the Cardinals' deficit to 4-2 in the ninth inning with a solo homer off Tampa Bay closer Pete Fairbanks on the 11th pitch of the at-bat. Contreras is now 14-for-39 (.359) over his last 15 games with a .960 OPS, though the home run was his first since July 14. Overall, the 31-year-old catcher is slashing .252/.346/.432 with 12 homers, 43 RBI, 40 runs scored and six steals across 379 plate appearances this season.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras went 2-for-7 with a double, two RBI and a run across the first two games against the Rockies and will take a seat for Sunday's series finale. Andrew Knizner is starting behind the plate and batting eighth.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras started the first two games of the series versus Minnesota and went 2-for-4 with a stolen base Wednesday, but he'll take a seat for Thursday's finale. Andrew Knizner will step in behind the plate to catch for Matthew Liberatore.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

This was Contreras' third multi-hit effort in his last 10 games, a span in which he's gone 9-for-24 (.375). The catcher is up to a career-high six steals this season. He's maintained a .249/.344/.423 slash line with 11 home runs, 40 RBI, 38 runs scored and 22 doubles through 92 contests.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras has a .947 OPS in 11 games since the All-Star break and will take a seat for Sunday's series finale versus Chicago. Andrew Knizner will step in behind the plate to catch for Steven Matz.

Contreras (head) will serve as the Cardinals' designated hitter Friday against the Cubs, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although it doesn't seem Contreras is quite ready to get back behind the plate after getting hit in the head Thursday by Ian Happ's backswing, the Cardinals will keep his bat in the lineup. Andrew Knizner will start at catcher Friday and bat eighth.

Contreras (head) is expected to be in the lineup Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras exited Thursday's game against the Cubs after being hit in the head by the backswing of Ian Happ. He passed a concussion test and his headaches have dissipated, clearing the path to his return to the lineup with a more protective mask.

Contreras exited Thursday's game against the Cubs due to a scalp laceration and is considered day-to-day, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras was hit in the back of the head by Ian Happ's backswing in the first inning and immediately exited the game. A stint on the injured list certainly seems possible, but for now, the team is hoping he can return more quickly.