Contreras apologizes to Cubs: 'I would never say something against' them

Willson Contreras will make his return Monday to Wrigley Field after leaving the Chicago Cubs via free agency this past winter for the St. Louis Cardinals, and he's walking back some remarks he made over the winter.

"Having support from (Cubs fans) means a lot to me," Contreras said prior to the series opener, according to Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. "If there is something in the past that got in some people's feelings, I really apologize. I would never say something against the Chicago Cubs or anything against the fan base."

The three-time All-Star didn't specify which remarks he's apologizing for. However, some fans took offense to Contreras' comments in February when he called the Cardinals, the Cubs' storied rival, "a better organization."

"Even though I'm wearing a different uniform ... I'm really thankful for the fan base," Contreras said, per Montemurro.

Contreras' flattery to his former team and its fans comes soon after the Cardinals stripped the 30-year-old of catching duties. He'll now serve as the team's primary designated hitter. Team president John Mozeliak said Sunday that there's a chance Contreras could return to his role behind the plate.

The controversial move comes mere months after St. Louis signed Contreras to a five-year, $87.5-million contract and amid a dismal 11-24 start to the 2024 campaign for the club.

Through 33 games with his new team, Contreras is hitting 265/.341/.393 with two homers and two stolen bases while ranking in the 76th percentile in pop time on stolen base attempts and 35th percentile in framing, according to Baseball Savant. He's caught five baserunners attempting to steal and allowed 12 stolen bases, seven percentage points better than the league average rate.

The Cardinals play a three-game series in Chicago that runs Monday through Wednesday.