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Cubs' Contreras out 4-6 weeks with 'moderate' hamstring strain

Ed Szcezpanski / USA TODAY Sports

Bad news, bears.

The Chicago Cubs announced that star catcher Willson Contreras has been placed on the 10-day disabled list after being diagnosed with a "moderate" hamstring strain, according to ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers. The typical timeframe for recovery is 4-6 weeks.

The Cubs, who lead the NL Central by a single game over the St. Louis Cardinals, will likely rely on Alex Avila as their primary catcher in Contreras' absence. Catcher Victor Caratini was recalled from Triple-A to serve as Avila's backup.

Contreras will be missed, as he's been one of baseball's most consistent batters in the second half of the season. Over 23 games since the All-Star break, he's batting .311/.380/.700 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs.

The 25-year-old said he won't push himself and intends to come back at full strength. He hopes to be healthy enough to play before the end of September, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer.

"I'm not going to rush anything. I'm going to make sure when I get back I get back 100 percent," Contreras said. "I don't know if it's going to be before the (end of) season or in the playoffs."

The team will re-evaluate Contreras in two weeks to determine just how long he'll be on the shelf.

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