Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka was treated and released from a local hospital on Saturday after being struck in the head by a line drive off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton, a frightening scene that cast a somber tone over the first formal workout of Summer Camp at Yankee Stadium.
Tanaka had faced several hitters in a simulated game when Stanton connected with an offspeed pitch, lacing a liner back toward the mound. The ball appeared to hit Tanaka on the right side of the head, and the hurler dropped to the dirt as his cap flew off. Tanaka was not utilizing a protective screen.
The Yankees said that Tanaka is alert, responsive and walking under his own power. He was sent to New York-Presbyterian Hospital for further evaluation and testing, including a CT scan, which was negative. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tanaka showed post-concussion symptoms and, though they subsided, he will be placed into concussion protocol.
“Anytime you see that on a baseball field — and then add in there that it’s a teammate — that stops you in your tracks,” Boone said. “You hope for the best. When I went out to the mound, at least in the immediate I felt somewhat good about it because he was alert and very aware. There was a little relief there, but you always worry about the next minutes and hours. The fact that we’re getting good news is a good thing.”
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].