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Cincinnati’s flame throwing closer Aroldis Chapman is a lucky guy. During a spring training game yesterday, Chapman was struck by a line drive hit by Royals’ slugger Salvador Perez. He may need surgery to insert a metal plate above his eye, but it could have been a lot worse.
The pitcher immediately fell to the ground and grabbed his face. He suffered fractures to bones in his nose and left eye. He will have the plate inserted soon and will be out for about 6-8 weeks. At that point he can began throwing again. Reds’ catcher Brian Pena said he was very scared for his friend when he watched it happen. He was taken off the field in a stretcher and the game was immediately called.
Pena said he spoke with Chapman at the hospital and he was in good spirits. “He was talking to me and we joked a lot. He just wanted to make sure for me to tell everybody that he appreciate so much the fans’ prayers, especially our teammates, our coaching staff, everybody around, how much support and how much love he received and got from all of us,” he said.
It is great to hear that he is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery, but still a very scary moment. Major League Baseball has given pitchers the option to wear protective helmets while on the mound to help prevent freak accidents like this.
