JUPITER, Fla. – St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras confirmed to World Baseball Network on March 12 that he intends to play for Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, pending an invitation from the Federación Venezolana de Béisbol under president Aracelis León. Contreras spoke before the Cardinals’ spring training game against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Q: Next year, for the World Baseball Classic, has anyone from the Venezuelan Baseball Federation reached out to you about playing? What’s your status?
Contreras: No, they haven’t reached out to me. I haven’t spoken to anyone about the WBC, but I’m definitely willing to go. I understand that I’m playing a different position right now, and there might be a lot of other players who can fill that role, but if I can go and help the team in any way, I will.
FVB officials must evaluate their roster in the coming months, considering key position players such as Contreras’ brother, William Contreras, Ronald Acuña Jr., Anthony Santander, José Altuve, Andrés Giménez, Gleyber Torres, Jackson Chourio, Eugenio Suárez, David Peralta, Orlando Arcia, Luis Arráez, Maikel Garcia, Miguel Rojas, Ezequiel Tovar, Francisco Álvarez, Oswaldo Cabrera, Wilyer Abreu, and Gabriel Moreno.
Houston Astros bench coach Omar Lopez managed Venezuela in the 2023 WBC, leading them to the quarterfinals at loanDepot Park in Miami, where they lost 9-7 to the United States. Lopez also led Venezuela to the Premier12 Super Round at the Tokyo Dome in November, where they lost the bronze medal game 6-1 to the United States. Venezuela has not reached the WBC semifinals since 2009, when they fell 10-2 to South Korea under manager Luis Sojo.
In the 2026 WBC, Venezuela will compete in Pool D at loanDepot Park against the Netherlands, Israel, the Dominican Republic, and a yet-to-be-determined qualifier nation. Colombia, Nicaragua, Chinese Taipei, and Brazil have all qualified but have not been assigned to specific pools by World Baseball Inc.
The 32-year old right-handed slugger, born in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela has played nine seasons in Major League Baseball with the Chicago Cubs from 2016-22 before signing a five-year, $87.5 million contract with St. Louis on Dec. 9, 2022
In his time on the North Side, Contreras was selected to the All-Star Game in 2018, 2019, and 2022. In 2016, Contreras helped the Cubs defeat the Cleveland Indians in seven games to end their 116-year World Series curse.
Last season, Contreras fractured his left forearm on May 8 when a swing by J.D. Martinez struck him during a game against the Mets. He was placed on the 10-day injured list and returned on June 24 after a six-game rehab stint with Triple-A Memphis, where he batted .143 over 22 plate appearances.
In 2024, Contreras played 84 games for the Cardinals, hitting .263 with 79 hits, 17 doubles, 15 home runs, 36 RBI, four stolen bases, 45 walks, and 96 strikeouts, posting an .848 OPS.
Q: Willson, how do you feel about your preparation right now in spring training, and what do you want to accomplish in 2025?
Contreras: Man, it’s been good. I feel good about it. I feel good about my preparation for the 2025 season, and I’m looking forward to a healthy one. Overall, I feel great.
Q: What were some of the mechanics you had to work on this offseason? How did you get back into shape to be ready for the season?
Contreras: I did everything—lifting weights, running, and hitting. This offseason was a lot different than in the past because I’m switching from catching to first base. It was a good preparation period. I feel good right now, I feel healthy, and most importantly, I feel focused.
Defensively, in 51 games behind the dish, Contreras caught 431.2 innings, recording 383 chances, 359 putouts, 21 assists, three errors, one double play, and posted a .992 fielding percentage. He threw out 11 of 37 attempted base stealers, a 23% caught-stealing rate.
Contreras has demonstrated his versatility throughout his career, logging innings at all three outfield spots, third base, first base, catcher, and designated hitter. His ability to adapt defensively has made him a valuable asset. In 11 games at first base, including four starts, from Cubs from 2016-19, Contreras logged 51.1 innings without committing an error.
Offensively, across nine MLB seasons, Contreras has played in 943 games, hitting .258 with 828 hits, 177 doubles, 10 triples, 152 home runs, 468 RBI, 32 stolen bases, 375 walks, 893 strikeouts, and an .848 OPS.
In spring training, Willson Contreras has appeared in nine games with 26 plate appearances, batting .364/.462/.545. He has recorded eight hits, including one double and one home run, plating three runs while drawing three walks and striking out four times.
Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages are currently slated on St. Louis’s depth chart at the catcher position alongside Contreras, who is still listed there from the team’s website.
Q: What does it mean to have a guy like Iván Herrera, who has been developing in the Cardinals organization for the last eight years? What does he mean to this ballclub, especially in helping the pitching staff, just like yourself?
Contreras: I think he means a lot to this organization. He’s been around for quite a while, and he has great tools and talent. I think it’s time for him to show that he can play defense and handle catching at the MLB level.
The Cardinals finished the 2024 season in second place at 83-79 with the same record as the Cubs and were 10 games behind the first place Milwaukee Brewers at 93-69.
The Cardinals finished the 2024 season in second place at 83-79, tied with the Cubs, and 10 games behind the NL Central-winning Milwaukee Brewers at 93-69.
They will open the 2025 season under fourth-year manager Oliver Marmol at home against the Minnesota Twins on March 27 at 4:15 p.m. EDT.
Q: What does Oliver Marmol mean to you? What does he bring to the team in terms of motivation and leadership?
Contreras: He’s a great guy to have around. Oliver and I have a really good relationship, which is very honest. I think speaking the truth goes a long way, and he does a great job communicating with the guys and keeping everybody on their toes.
St. Louis’ front office will evaluate Contreras’ role at first base as spring training concludes, considering where he fits best alongside Pagés and Herrera.
Contreras did not play Wednesday in the Cardinals’ 2-0 loss to the Mets. Pagés started behind the plate, going 1-for-3 with a double in the second inning while catching all nine innings. Burleson went 0-for-3 with a strikeout before being replaced by R.J. Yeager in the ninth.
The Cardinals are 8-11 in the 2025 Grapefruit League season and will face the Houston Astros on March 13 at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla., at 1:05 p.m. EDT.
2026 World Baseball Classic Information
The United States, Italy, Mexico, Great Britain and a Qualifier nation will compete at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas from March 6-11 in Pool B.
Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, and a Qualifier nation will compete in San Juan, Puerto Rico at Hiram Bithorn Stadium from March 6-11 in Pool A.
Japan, Australia, South Korea, Czech Republic, and a Qualifier nation will compete at the Tokyo Dome from March 5-10 in Pool C.
The Quarterfinals of the 2026 WBC will feature the Pool A runner-up facing the Pool B winner on March 13, while the Pool B runner-up will face the Pool A winner on March 14 at Daikin Park.
The other side of the Quarterfinals will be on March 13 with the Pool C runner-up playing the Pool D winner and the Pool D runner-up will play the Pool C winner on March 14 at loanDepot Park.
The 2026 WBC semifinals will be held on March 15 and 16 at loanDepot Park, with the championship game taking place on March 17.
