Willson Contreras, the Boston Red Sox's powerful first baseman, will be absent from Tuesday's series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park, dealing a blow to the team's lineup.

The slugger left Sunday's game after being struck by a pitch, but initial reports suggested the injury wasn't serious. Red Sox insider Chris Cotillo noted Monday that the team remained "cautiously optimistic" about Contreras's hand injury, with plans to reassess upon his arrival Tuesday. However, when the starting lineup was revealed, Contreras's name was notably missing.

This season, Contreras has been a cornerstone of Boston's offense, batting .259 with 8 home runs and 23 RBIs in 135 at-bats. His absence is a significant setback as the Red Sox face a tough Phillies squad.

To fill the gap, the Red Sox will deploy Jovani Moran as an opener, with Brayan Bello expected to handle the bulk of the innings. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET, and fans will be watching closely to see how the team adjusts without one of its key hitters.