‘Enough is enough’: Chicago Cubs manager David Ross responds after Willson Contreras is hit for a 2nd time this series by the Milwaukee Brewers

Catcher Willson Contreras is out of the Chicago Cubs starting lineup for Wednesday’s finale of the Milwaukee Brewers series, with backup Tony Wolters getting his first start.

Manager David Ross said Contreras was already scheduled to sit before Tuesday night’s incident in which Contreras took umbrage to being hit in the upper arm by Brewers reliever Brad Boxberger.

Contreras has a history with the Brewers and was hit in the helmet by reliever Devin Williams in Monday’s game. He yelled at Boxberger and said: “That’s two,” holding up two fingers in reference to Monday’s hit by pitch.

The benches cleared, but there was no extracurricular activity. The Cubs lost 4-0 and wound up with only one hit — a Kris Bryant double.

Contreras didn’t meet with the media after the game and was unavailable Wednesday. Ross said he doesn’t mind Contreras showing emotion in a situation like that.

“Yeah, I think it was warranted,” Ross said Wednesday on a Zoom call with reporters. “He’s an emotional guy, and I don’t know that I would’ve reacted any different after what’s happened and how many times he’s been hit by that particular group.

“I thought it gave us a little spark and got the crowd on its feet. That’s never a bad thing. We just didn’t capitalize on it. You never want to see any player get hit. It’s a scary thing as hard as guys throw now.”

Brewers manager Craig Counsell said it was unintentional, as did Brewers third baseman Travis Shaw.

“At the same time, he did get hit in the head (Monday) night,” Shaw said. “So I kind of understand some frustration. But we’re not trying to hit him. It’s 4-0.

“But when you get hit in the head the night before and then you get hit again, I can understand the tempers and the frustrations.”

Contreras has been hit by a pitch 11 times by Brewers pitchers in his career. The next closest team is the Cincinnati Reds, who’ve hit Contreras six times.

Ross agreed the Brewers weren’t trying to hit his catcher.

“I don’t think in a 4-0 game with the leadoff hitter they were trying to hit Willson yesterday,” he said. “Definitely not. I don’t think Willson believes that. I don’t think we believe that as a team.

“At some point, enough is enough, and whether it’s intentional or unintentional, there’s usually consequences to those things. Pitching in is important in baseball. You have to pitch in, and sometimes you’re going to mess up and hit a guy.

“When it’s consistent, you know, emotions flare. Emotions get out of control, and there are consequences, so …”

Kyle Hendricks take the mound for the Cubs in his second start in the finale of the opening homestand.

Here’s the Cubs lineup:

Happ CF

Sogard 2B

Rizzo 1B

Bryant 3B

Pederson LF

Baez SS

Heyward RF

Wolters C

Hendricks P

Sign up for alerts on your phone, desktop and inbox to stay current with the latest news

Sign up for our sports newsletter, delivered daily each morning