ST. LOUIS — Willson Contreras received a six-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for his actions after being ejected by home plate umpire Derek Thomas in the Cardinals’ 7-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday.
Contreras will appeal the suspension, and he was penciled in Tuesday’s lineup at first.
The 33-year-old was ejected in the bottom of the seventh inning Monday by Thomas after he was rung up on a strike three call. While walking back to the dugout, Contreras appeared to say something to Thomas, prompting an ejection that quickly turned into chaos.
Contreras had to be restrained by manager Oli Marmol, who was also ejected, and bench coach Daniel Descalso. As he was being escorted to the dugout, Contreras tossed his bat in the direction of the field, and inadvertently struck hitting coach Brant Brown in the arm. Contreras also launched a bucket of Hi-Chew candy onto the field from the dugout before being ushered into the home clubhouse.
He said postgame that he did not think he should have been ejected, alleging that Thomas had thrown him out of the game for saying something he didn’t say. Contreras did not elaborate further on what Thomas believed he heard.
“I don’t think he had any reason to throw me out,” Contreras said. “I didn’t argue any pitch in any at-bat. The only thing I said was, ‘Call the pitches for both sides, because you’re missing for us.’
“I turned around, he threw me out, he had no reason for it. Apparently, he heard something that I said, but I didn’t say that.”
“Willson was hot. My guess is that he heard something. And then, Mount Vesuvius happened.”
“Frustration understood. It happens. Not to that extent though.”
Cardinals announcers Chip Caray and Brad Thompson react as Willson Contreras and Oliver Marmol are ejected. pic.twitter.com/su5ccbUgc6
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 26, 2025
Marmol was also surprised when Contreras was ejected, and said he was caught off guard.
“I looked at the video,” Marmol said Monday night. “I didn’t see what Derek said about what came out of Willson’s mouth. Looking at the video, I just don’t see it. We’ll continue to review it and make sure everybody’s on the same page, but I don’t think — from what I understand — there was anything to get ejected for.”
The suspension was scheduled to begin on Tuesday, however, he will be permitted to play until the appeal process is complete.
(Jeff Curry / Imagn Images)