St. Louis Cardinals first baseman and former catcher Willson Contreras ran drills at first base and practiced hitting during spring training in Jupiter, Florida on Feb. 17, 2025. Video by

Mikolas rebounds from a rocky first inning and then the bullpen takes over for a scoreless run right up until Saggese's single in ninth downs Nationals, 3-2.

Willson Contreras is casting a broader shadow in St. Louis Cardinals' camp this spring, physical modifications resulting from a weight-room regimen he adopted to bulk up for a move to first base.An

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Willson Contreras watches live batting practice on Tuesday, Feb. 18th, 2025, as spring training continues at the team’s training complex and Jupiter, Fla.

The St. Louis Cardinals are moving Willson Contreras from catcher to first base this season, and he reportedly has bulked up to 247 pounds from his usual 235 pounds this spring with the hope of producing more power and RBI production in 2025,

St. Louis Cardinals All-Star Willson Contreras will have a different role with the NL Central Club this season. The Cardinals are moving the longtime catcher to first base. This position change for Contreras comes after the 32-year-old played only 84 games last season due to multiple injuries.

Bulks up over winter

But the St. Louis Cardinals must determine in 2025 who Ivan Herrera can be — and will be — in 2026 and beyond.

St. Louis Cardinals slugger Willson Contreras showed up heavier than normal in hopes of producing more power in 2025.

After a potential Nolan Arenado trade with the Houston Astros got stymied at the last moment, St. Louis president John Mozeliak more or less sat on his hands, refusing to get off of any of the team's veterans while also refusing to add any talent (or payroll) that might help the team contend in the short term.

Noticeably larger through the chest and arms thanks to all the extra time he’s spent in the weight room as of late, Willson Contreras’ confidence was very much on display during a recent FaceTime call with his brother,