Boston Red Sox fans held their breath on Sunday as star first baseman Willson Contreras exited the game against the Tampa Bay Rays after being hit by a pitch—a scary moment that has become all too familiar for the veteran this season.

Contreras was plunked on the right hand by a Nick Martinez fastball in the first inning, marking his MLB-leading eighth time being hit by a pitch this year. While he initially stayed in the game to run the bases, Andruw Monasterio took over at first base to start the next inning. The Red Sox later announced, via MassLive's Chris Cotillo, that Contreras sustained a right hand contusion.

The injury scare comes at a critical time for Boston, which entered Sunday's game with an American League-low .668 OPS. Contreras has been a bright spot since joining the Red Sox, batting .259/.380/.467 with a team-high eight home runs and 23 RBIs. The 33-year-old has been on a tear lately, reaching base in 14 straight games since moving to the No. 2 spot in the lineup on April 25. His .406 expected weighted on-base average ranks 12th among all qualified hitters—a testament to his disciplined approach at the plate.

The Red Sox are already dealing with injuries, as Roman Anthony landed on the injured list Thursday with a sprained right wrist. Beyond Contreras, only Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela boast an OPS of .750 or higher this season. An extended absence for Contreras could open the door for more playing time for Monasterio, who has two hits in as many at-bats since stepping in.

As the Red Sox navigate this latest injury scare, all eyes will be on Contreras's recovery timeline. For now, fans can only hope the hand contusion is minor and that their hot-hitting first baseman will be back in the lineup soon.