Red Sox 1B Willson Contreras warns Brewers after being hit by pitch

Contreras has been hit 24 times by Milwaukee pitchers and said next time he is 'going to take one of them out.'

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:33pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conveying the combative nature of the rivalry between the teams.A cubist interpretation of the heated on-field confrontation between Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras and the Milwaukee Brewers, capturing the raw intensity and physical nature of their long-standing rivalry.Boston Today

Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras had a warning for the Milwaukee Brewers after he was hit on the hand by a pitch from right-hander Brandon Woodruff on Monday night. Contreras, who has been hit by a pitch 131 times in his major league career, including 24 times by the Brewers, said 'next time they hit me again, I'm going to take one of them out.' The incident led to a testy exchange between Contreras and Woodruff, and Contreras also slid hard into second base, banging into shortstop David Hamilton's left knee with his cleats.

Why it matters

The ongoing tensions between Contreras and the Brewers, particularly pitcher Brandon Woodruff, highlight the physical nature of baseball and the potential for retaliation when players feel they are being intentionally targeted. This incident could foreshadow further confrontations between the two teams as they continue their three-game series.

The details

Contreras was hit by a pitch from Woodruff on the left hand, with the Brewers unsuccessfully challenging the call. After the latest incident, Contreras yelled at Woodruff from first base and then slid hard into second base, banging into shortstop David Hamilton's left knee. Contreras has been hit by a pitch 131 times in his career, with 24 of those coming against the Brewers, 10 more than any other team. He has a history of testy exchanges with Woodruff, who has hit him six times.

  • Contreras was hit by the pitch from Woodruff on Monday night in Boston.
  • Contreras has been hit by a pitch 131 times in his major league career, including 24 times by the Brewers.

The players

Willson Contreras

Boston Red Sox first baseman who has been hit by a pitch 131 times in his major league career, including 24 times by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Brandon Woodruff

Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitcher who has hit Contreras six times in their testy history.

David Hamilton

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop who was involved in the hard slide by Contreras into second base, resulting in a torn pants.

William Contreras

Milwaukee Brewers catcher who is the younger brother of Willson Contreras.

Pat Murphy

Milwaukee Brewers manager who challenged the hit-by-pitch call on Willson Contreras, which was upheld after replay review.

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What they’re saying

“'They always say, 'I'm not trying to hit you.' That gets old. So, next time they hit me again, I'm going to take one of them out. That's a message.'”

— Willson Contreras, Boston Red Sox first baseman

“'I mean, we've been through that. It's been like nine years for me. It seems like every year. He's trying to play a game and he's trying to get his side fired up, which is fine. Once I knew what was going on, I wasn't going to let it affect me.'”

— Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher

“'I tried.'”

— William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers catcher

“'I was going to check it whether it was my bother at the plate or not. I saw it a little closer than it was.'”

— William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers catcher

What’s next

The two teams have two games left in their three-game series, setting the stage for potential further confrontations between Willson Contreras and the Brewers.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and bad blood between Willson Contreras and the Milwaukee Brewers, particularly pitcher Brandon Woodruff, and raises the possibility of retaliation or escalating physical play as the teams continue their series. It underscores the combative nature of baseball and the potential for players to take matters into their own hands when they feel they are being intentionally targeted.