WILLSON CONTRERAS

The Astros won the 2022 World Series and currently don't have a general manager. Ace Justin Verlander is a free agent. What could they do this winter?

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina have made their 325th career start together, setting a major league record for most as a battery.

Albert Pujols hit his 695th career home run in the eighth inning and Miles Mikolas tossed eight scoreless innings to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0.

Paul Goldschmidt slugged his 32nd and 33rd homers and had five RBIs, Corey Dickerson set a franchise record for consecutive hits and the St. Louis Cardinals rolled to an 8-3 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Cubs Reds Baseball Ken Griffey Jr., left, and his father Jen Griffey Sr., walk on to the field before a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs at the Field of Dreams movie site, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Dyersville, Iowa. Smyly struck out nine in five scoreless innings, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 on Thursday night in Major League Baseball's second annual “Field of Dreams” game. “It’s really magic,” Cubs catcher Willson Contreras said of the field. Major League Baseball returned to Dyersville — population of about 4,400 — after its first “Field of Dreams” game was a smashing success. Graham Ashcraft (5-2, 3.94 ERA) pitches for the Reds, and fellow right-hander Adrian Sampson (0-3, 3.83 ERA) starts for the Cubs.

After the Griffeys played catch in Iowa, Drew Smyly took over.

Cubs Cardinals Baseball Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras watches his triple against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, in St. Louis. The Chicago Cubs are keeping their catcher — along with Ian Happ — at least for now after Tuesday's trade deadline passed with no deal for the three-time All-Star. I do really understand the human toll that that takes on guys.”With the Cubs rebuilding and free agency looming, Contreras seemed sure to be traded. He would not say if the Cubs will try to re-sign Contreras and build around him after the season. Teammates hugged him following Sunday’s 4-0 loss at San Francisco, thinking that might have been his last game for the Cubs.

The Chicago Cubs are keeping All-Stars Willson Contreras and Ian Happ for now after Tuesday’s trade deadline passed with no deal for either.

The Juan Soto sweepstakes come down to the wire, with baseball’s trade deadline fast approaching at 6 p.m. EDT.

When Juan Soto turned down a $440 million, 15-year deal to stay with the Washington Nationals, it ensured Tuesday’s trade deadline would have a little juice.

Good afternoon, Chicago. Here's what is happening today.

He hit a soft single to center field in a three-run first inning off Bryse Wilson (1-6). He saluted the fans with a fist in his last at-bat in the seventh but struck out against reliever Tyler Beede. Closer David Robertson wasn’t used for the second consecutive game after earning a win and save Saturday and Sunday at Philadelphia. The Cubs have (40-57) have their best winning streak since taking seven in a row last Aug. 31-Sept. 6. The Cubs will start LHP Justin Steele (4-6, 4.02) in the first game of a four-game series Thursday against the Giants.

Willson Contreras drew a standing ovation in perhaps his last home game at Wrigley Field, then keyed an early burst as the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 for their season-high sixth straight win.

(Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)The MLB trade deadline is approaching quickly and one name towers above the rest. After pulling the ball 40 percent of the time last season, he’s pulling the ball 27.3 percent of the time in 2022. Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs CA catcher who can hit is a rare commodity these days, which should give Willson Contreras plenty of value on the trade market. At the plate, Contreras offers a solid understanding of the strike zone. It’s unclear whether Bell is vaccinated against COVID-19 and whether that will impact his trade market.

(Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)LOS ANGELES — For a second, it looked like Albert Pujols had actually done it. It would have been the dream ending of an All-Star break that has been partially dominated by Pujols tributes, interviews and mentions. Pujols was done, after fielding dozens of questions, hitting 35 homers in the Home Run Derby and maybe four or five Special Moments™ over the course of two days. "Being able to share this experience with Albert Pujols," Luis Castillo said through an interpreter when asked for his favorite All-Star memory. "He's an All-Star, an All-Star for all of us in the Latino community.

Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will start for the National League on Tuesday night in the first All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium since 1980, and Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan will be on the mound for the American League.

Anthony Santander hit a two-run double to spark Baltimore’s three-run first inning, Spenser Watkins and four relievers scattered six hits and the Orioles extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 7-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Braves Cubs Baseball Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras, right, greets his brother Atlanta Braves catcher William Contreras during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Saturday, June 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Atlanta Braves designated hitter William Contreras joined Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras as just the fifth brothers to start together in baseball's All-Star Game. They are the first brothers in the same All-Star Game since Aaron and Bret Boone in 2003. William Contreras is a first-time All-Star. Willson Contreras, 30, earned his third All-Star trip, all as an elected starter.

There were 15 MLB players who signed new contracts worth $100 million or more before this season.

Atlanta Braves designated hitter William Contreras joined Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras as just the fifth brothers to start together in baseball’s All-Star Game.

Los Angeles Angels sensation Shohei Ohtani repeated as a two-way All-Star when he was picked for the AL pitching staff, two days after he was elected to start at designated hitter.

Los Angeles will be well represented in the July 19 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.

Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels were elected Friday to start in the July 19 All-Star Game along with outfielders Mookie Betts and Trea Turner of the host Dodgers.

P.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts will not be in the starting lineup for a game against Tampa Bay after leaving a day earlier with a cut on his left thigh that required seven stitches.

Marlins Nationals Baseball Washington Nationals' Juan Soto smiles as he stands on second during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, July 3, 2022, in Washington. Soto left Nationals Park to get an MRI. Bogaerts said he didn’t think Contreras meant to harm him, and he didn’t mean to block the base as Contreras was arriving. Bogaerts is hitting .318 going into Boston's series opener at Fenway Park against Tampa Bay. Cleveland lefty Konnor Pilkington (1-1, 4.31) starts the second game against RHP Alex Faedo (1-4, 4.84).

Marlins Nationals Baseball Washington Nationals' Juan Soto smiles as he stands on second during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, July 3, 2022, in Washington. Soto left Nationals Park to get an MRI. Bogaerts said he didn’t think Contreras meant to harm him, and he didn’t mean to block the base as Contreras was arriving. Bogaerts is hitting .318 going into Boston's series opener at Fenway Park against Tampa Bay. Cleveland lefty Konnor Pilkington (1-1, 4.31) starts the second game against RHP Alex Faedo (1-4, 4.84).

Washington star Juan Soto is being checked out after exiting a game early because of an injured left calf.

Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. were elected Thursday to start in the July 20 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.

Willson Contreras hit a tiebreaking single in the 10th inning to drive in his third run of the game, and the Chicago Cubs overcame a five-run deficit to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 on Sunday. St. Louis led 5-0 but starter Jack Flaherty left after two innings because of right shoulder tightness, and the Cubs tied the score with a five-run fourth. The Cardinals have lost three of their last four games and seven of their last 10.

He was playing in the third big league game of his career. Daniel Vogelbach hit a two-run double in the Pirates’ big seventh inning and Tyler Heineman’s RBI double made it 12-1. Cruz is the third shortstop in big league history to have seven RBIs in his first three career games along with Hall of Famer Paul Molitor and Trevor Story. Madris became the first Pirates player to have a hit, RBI and stolen base in his first big league game since Andrew McCutchen in 2009. Pirates: RHP Zach Thompson (right forearm nerve inflammation) was placed on the 15-day IL and said he believes the injury isn’t serious.

Newly promoted Oneil Cruz drove in four runs and Bligh Madris got three hits in his major league debut, sparking the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 12-1 romp over the Chicago Cubs.

Braves Cubs Baseball Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras, right, greets his brother Atlanta Braves catcher William Contreras during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Saturday, June 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO — (AP) — Willson Contreras had three hits and stole a base in his first game against younger brother William, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves 6-3 on Saturday. Willson Contreras later doubled and drove in a run. The Cubs extended their lead to 3-0 on Acuña’s throwing error on Willson Contreras’ single to right field in the second. He exited in the second inning Friday after running to first on a groundout.

Willson Contreras had three hits and stole a base in his first game against younger brother William, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves 6-3.

The Chicago Cubs became the first team in 23 years to stop a losing streak of 10 or more game while ending an opponent’s winning streak of at least 10 games, beating the Braves 1-0 to end the Braves’ 14-game run.

Paul Goldschmidt homered to extend his hitting streak to 25 games, Corey Dickerson went deep twice, and the St. Louis Cardinals pounded the Chicago Cubs 14-5.

Outfielder Adam Duvall and the Atlanta Braves argued their case as salary arbitration hearings resumed after a two-week break.

Kyle Farmer homered and had five RBIs to power the Cincinnati Reds to their high-scoring game in 23 years, a 20-5 rout of the Chicago Cubs.

Ronald Acuña Jr. went 1 for 5 with two stolen bases in his return to the Braves lineup, but it was Kyle Wright who claimed a starring role, pitching three-hit ball over a career-high seven innings to give Atlanta a 5-1 win over the Cubs.

Alfonso Rivas had three hits and five RBIs, and the Chicago Cubs stopped a four-game slide by pounding the Pittsburgh Pirates 21-0.

Ian Happ had three hits, including a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 on opening day.

Paul Goldschmidt hit a walk-off RBI single in the ninth inning, and the playoff-bound St. Louis Cardinals won for the 19th time in their last 20 games, 4-3 over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night. Tyler O'Neill homered twice and threw out the potential go-ahead run in the ninth inning for the Cardinals, who will play either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the San Francisco Giants in the NL wild-card game. Dakota Hudson made his first start for the Cardinals in more than a year, allowing three hits in five scoreless innings.

Cardinals Cubs Baseball St. Louis Cardinals' Harrison Bader, left, celebrates after hitting a solo home run as Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras looks up during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO — (AP) — Make it a very sweet 16 for the St. Louis Cardinals. Next up is a three-game series against NL Central champion Milwaukee beginning on Tuesday night in St. Louis. St. Louis jumped in front on another Goldschmidt drive, a massive solo shot to center off Keegan Thompson with one out in the third. Cubs: RHP Alec Mills (6-7, 4.83 ERA) starts Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series at Pittsburgh.

Make it a very sweet 16 for the St. Louis Cardinals.

The St. Louis Cardinals set a franchise record with their 15th straight win, boosted when catcher Yadier Molina and center fielder Harrison Bader helped pull off a wild double play in an 8-5 win over the Chicago Cubs.

The surging St. Louis Cardinals soared to their 13th straight win, using homers by Paul Goldschmidt and Tyler O’Neill to top the Chicago Cubs 8-5 in the opener of a doubleheader.

The surging St. Louis Cardinals emphatically matched a team record with their 14th straight wint, pounding the Chicago Cubs 12-4 in the second game of doubleheader behind Tyler O’Neill’s three-run homer and a pair of solo shots by Lars Nootbaar.

Bryce Harper had three hits, drove a three-run homer and had four RBIs to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 17-8 win over the Chicago Cubs.

The Toronto Blue Jays have won four in a row entering their big series this week in New York against the Yankees.

Yasmani Grandal homered twice and drove in eight runs in his return from the injured list, and the Chicago White Sox beat the sloppy Chicago Cubs 17-13.

Luis Urías tied a major league record with five extra-base hits and Manny Piña drove in six runs, leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a 17-4 romp over the Chicago Cubs.

Right-hander Jake Arrieta has been released by the Chicago Cubs.

Kyle Hendricks won his ninth straight decision, Patrick Wisdom hit a two-run homer and Chicago Cubs pounded the St. Louis Cardinals 10-5.

Anthony Rizzo, Joc Pederson and Nico Hoerner each had two hits and an RBI to help the Chicago Cubs beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-3, ending an 11-game losing streak.

Highly touted Milwaukee prospect Aaron Ashby got roughed up for seven runs in the first inning of his big league debut, but Luis Urias homered twice as the Brewers rallied to rout the Chicago Cubs 15-7 for their eighth straight win.

Cody Bellinger homered with two out in the ninth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 3-2 in their first walk-off victory of the season.

Zach Davies and three Cubs relievers combined for the seventh no-hitter in the majors this year — matching the most in a season since 1900 — as Chicago blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0.

The Chicago Cubs are working on a combined no-hitter through eight innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jacob deGrom was pulled from a second straight start with an arm injury, this time leaving after three perfect innings with right shoulder soreness, but the New York Mets bullpen stepped up to finish a three-hitter in a 6-3 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Cardinals Cubs Baseball St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Arenado hits a two-run single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, June 11, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (Charles Rex Arbogast)CHICAGO — (AP) — Joc Pederson homered and drove in three runs, Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras went deep and the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 on Friday. Wrigley Field allowed 100% capacity for the first time since 2019 on what the Cubs called "Opening Day 2.0:. Pederson gave the Cubs a 7-5 lead in the seventh with a two-run double off the wall in right-center against Génesis Cabrera (1-2). Rizzo tied it at 5-all in the sixth with his drive to right against Daniel Ponce de Leon.

Joc Pederson homered and drove in three runs, Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras went deep and the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 on Friday afternoon.

Cubs Padres Baseball Chicago Cubs' Patrick Wisdom, right, celebrates with third base coach Willie Harris after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in San Diego. Willson Contreras also homered for the Cubs, who have beaten the Padres four times in five games in a span of nine days. Chicago swept the Padres at Wrigley Field last week, when Wisdom homered three times, including twice in the first game. San Diego won the opener of this series 9-4 on Monday night. Davies improved to 5-0 in his career against San Diego.

Zach Davies allowed just one hit in six scoreless innings, Anthony Rizzo homered and drove in four runs, and Patrick Wisdom went deep again for the Chicago Cubs as they defeated the San Diego Padres 7-1.

Javier Báez lined a two-run homer, Anthony Rizzo had two doubles among three hits and the surging Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 6-1 on for their third straight win and ninth in 10 games.

Padres Cubs Baseball Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras (40) and Kyle Hendricks celebrate at home after they scored on Contreras' home run off San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ryan Weathers during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 1, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (Charles Rex Arbogast)CHICAGO — (AP) — Patrick Wisdom hit his third homer in two games, Willson Contreras also went deep and the surging Chicago Cubs beat San Diego 4-3 on Tuesday night after Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. left with an injury. Wisdom, who homered twice in Monday’s win, and Contreras each hit a long two-run drive against Ryan Weathers (2-2). Anthony Rizzo singled twice for Chicago after missing the previous six games because of back tightness. ... Ross said the Cubs hope LHP Justin Steele (strained right hamstring strain) throws a bullpen in the next few days.

Patrick Wisdom hit his third homer in two games, Willson Contreras also went deep and the surging Chicago Cubs beat San Diego 4-3 after Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. left with an injury.

Doubt the Tampa Bay Rays at your own risk.

Nationals Cubs Baseball Seen through COVID-19 protective plexiglass, Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras wears his protective mask during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Thursday, May 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (Charles Rex Arbogast)NEW YORK — (AP) — Two more Major League Baseball teams have been able to relax coronavirus protocols after 85% of their players and other on-field personnel completed vaccination, raising the total to 14 of the 30 clubs. The commissioner’s office and the players’ association said Friday that two additional teams had reached the 85% level of having received final doses and would be able to relax protocols within the next week once they are fully vaccinated. Thus far this season, there have been 59 positive tests — 32 players and 27 staff — among 166,584 samples tested, a 0.035% positive rate. The positive tests are among 22 teams.

Two more Major League Baseball teams have been able to relax coronavirus protocols after 85% of their players and other on-field personnel completed vaccination, raising the total to 14 of the 30 clubs.

Nationals Cubs Baseball Washington Nationals' Jon Lester (34) tips his helmet as he comes to bat as Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (40) stands nearby during the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, May, 17, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks) (David Banks)CHICAGO — (AP) — Willson Contreras and the Chicago Cubs heaped praise on Jon Lester and Kyle Schwarber in their return to Wrigley Field on Monday. Contreras, Jason Heyward and Javier Báez homered off Lester in his return to Chicago, leading the Cubs to a 7-3 victory over the Washington Nationals. They are really great persons, on and off the field, and it was so good to see them back at Wrigley Field. In between the standing ovations, sweet treats and all the cheering for Lester and Schwarber, the Cubs were mostly business during their third win in four games.