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Contreras to see fewer starts at catcher, more at DH in upcoming weeks

Published

2 years ago

May 7, 2023

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ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals are shaking things up with an NL-worst 10-23 record. In addition to a series of roster moves over the last several days, one of their regulars will take some time off from his longtime position.

Willson Contreras will see fewer opportunities at catcher in the upcoming weeks, during which he will most likely slot into the Cardinals’ lineup as a designated hitter. Manager Oli Marmol informed several media members of the arrangement ahead of Saturday’s game.

Contreras is in the first season of a five-year, $87.5 million deal he signed with St. Louis last offseason, one he signed with intentions to follow the footsteps of longtime Cardinals backstop Yadier Molina.

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For now, the plan is to start Andrew Knizner at catcher more regularly and give recently promoted prospect Tres Barrera some opportunities behind the plate as well. Marmol said Contreras would be used “almost exclusively” as a designated hitter, though could see some time in corner outfield spots as well.

The Cardinals have dropped 12 of their past 14 games, a stretch during which Contreras hasn’t caught any wins and been used as a designated hitter four times.

While Marmol did not disclose a motive to the decision, other than Knizner having a little more familiarity with the pitching staff, it raises questions about how Contreras has been performing as a catcher. Advanced analytics show his blocking at catcher has been right around league average this season, though he’s a bit more behind most backstops for framing in the lower half of the zone.

Guiding a pitching staff is another important element of the position. The Cardinals are in the bottom 10 of MLB teams in ERA (4.61), bottom 5 in WHIP (1.46) and Top 10 in walks (nearly 5 per game). Cardinals relief pitchers have also blown seven saves in 11 opportunities.

Whatever the larger reason may be behind the decision, moving Contreras out of catcher is not a scenario many envisioned would happen so quickly, if at all, into his Cardinals contract. It remains to be seen if he’ll move back into catcher more regularly, which would give the Cardinals more options to roll out a better offensive lineup.

Contreras, despite what analytics might show about his catching abilities, has posted respectable offensive numbers for the catcher position with a .280 average, two home runs and 14 RBI through just a little more than a month into the season.

The 30-year-old and three-time All Star said he was particularly excited to work with Adam Wainwright in starts during his sendoff year, through he will have to wait for that opportunity as well. Wainwright returns from the injured list on Saturday, with Knizner as his battery mate.

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Man attacks Jeff Co. deputy with screwdriver during attempted arrest

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.

Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.

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The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.

Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.

Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.

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St. Louis Public Schools superintendent to be sworn in

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.

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Gas tanker crashes into St. Louis Metro transit center

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.

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Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.

A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.

The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.

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