Red Sox move Willson Contreras to IL with hamstring strain, amid boos from Boston fans for slow running

The Boston Red Sox announced on Monday that leading home run hitter Willson Contreras is going on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain .

Contreras, 34, has 26 home runs, 21 doubles and 79 RBI with a .274/.384/.516 slash average in 517 plate appearances in his first season with Boston. After playing at catcher for most of his MLB career, he transitioned to a full-time first baseman last season with the St. Louis Cardinals and that's where he's played with the Red Sox.

Going on the IL with a hamstring injury should settle what somehow became a contentious issue with some Red Sox fans in recent weeks. Twice in the past three weeks, Contreras was booed by fans at Fenway Park for not running hard to first base.

After receiving boos while jogging out a grounder to third base during a 7-6 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Aug. 19, Contreras channeled a professional wrestler and held his right hand to his ear to get a louder crowd reaction.

However, Contreras acknowledging the fan reaction didn't end there. In the bottom of the 10th inning, the 11-year veteran engaged with a spectator at the far end of the Red Sox dugout toward the outfield. Other Red Sox players, including Jarren Duran, became involved in the argument, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo .

After the game ended, Contreras continued his exchange with the fan and eventually pointed him out to security. Asked about the incident afterwards, he downplayed it.

"He was inviting me to dinner," Contreras told reporters. "I was like, 'Nah, I'm good with it.'"

Earlier in the month, Contreras acknowledged he was dealing with a hamstring issue and talked to interim manager Chad Tracy about picking his spots for running hard during games.

When asked about the booing, Contreras said that fans had a right to express themselves and considered it part of playing baseball. Yet after the fan incident, he wanted people to understand that he wasn't 100% healthy.

"If you're a smart fan, you know what's going on," he said . "I'm not going to make any excuses because it's not an excuse. It's real. I just want to play through it. "It's just part of the game. I'm not gonna get hurt running on a ground ball," he added. "If you're a real fan and you know baseball, there's no case for me to hustle out of the box. I'm not 100%. My manager has my back. I talked to him and he gave me permission to do whatever it takes to take care of my legs."

"If you're a smart fan, you know what's going on," he said . "I'm not going to make any excuses because it's not an excuse. It's real. I just want to play through it.

"It's just part of the game. I'm not gonna get hurt running on a ground ball," he added. "If you're a real fan and you know baseball, there's no case for me to hustle out of the box. I'm not 100%. My manager has my back. I talked to him and he gave me permission to do whatever it takes to take care of my legs."

To fill Contreras' spot on the roster, catcher Mickey Gasper (.278 average, .840 OPS) was recalled from Triple-A Worcester, bouncing back up to the majors after being optioned when Roman Anthony and Trevor Story were activated from the IL before Sunday's 16-1 loss to the New York Yankees.