Willson Contreras took two 95-mph fastballs near the head Friday night at Dodger Stadium, and the second one struck the Red Sox veteran in the back of his helmet, knocking him out of Boston's 4-3 loss to Los Angeles. The frightening sequence unfolded in the third inning and abruptly ended the night for one of Boston's most important bats.
According to the New York Post, Dodgers reliever Will Klein first buzzed Contreras' head with a 95-mph fastball before another elevated heater struck directly into the back of his helmet. Contreras bent over and appeared dazed as coaches and trainers checked on him, but he initially stayed in the game and walked to first base under his own power, drawing an ovation from the stands.
Contreras was replaced at first base in the bottom half of the third inning and was expected to leave for further evaluation in the clubhouse. His status was not immediately available after the game.
Klein's Rough Night Followed A World Series Masterpiece
The game box score from StatMuse shows Klein was charged with three runs in 1 1/3 innings, while the Dodgers rallied for a 4-3 victory behind a Shohei Ohtani home run. Los Angeles had planned to use its bullpen throughout the game, making every shaky inning more consequential.
The outing was a jarring turn from Klein's breakout moment in the 2025 World Series. As MLB.com recounted, the right-hander threw four scoreless innings over 72 pitches in the Dodgers' 18-inning Game 3 win, earning a reputation as an unlikely October hero before Friday's much rougher appearance.
