MLB Pitcher Suffers Scary Line Drive Injury

Colorado Rockies pitcher Ryan Feltner suffers concussion, skull fracture after being hit by ball
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 15, 2023 7:36 AM CDT
MLB Line Drive Fractures Pitcher's Skull
Trainers tend to Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ryan Feltner after he was hit by a ball hit by the Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos, who singled during the second inning Saturday in Denver.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies pitcher Ryan Feltner has a skull fracture and concussion after getting hit by a line drive off the bat of the Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos. Feltner was injured Saturday night during a game in Denver and was discharged from Swedish Medical Center on Sunday, per the AP. He won't need surgery. "Overall, he's fine," Colorado manager Bud Black said before Sunday's game. "I think the feeling is that it could have been worse." Feltner was put on the 15-day injured list. When asked whether the 26-year-old right-hander will be out for days, weeks, or months, Black said, "probably on the longer end of that."

Feltner was hurt in the second inning when Castellanos hit a 92.7mph slider back at the mound. The ball hit Feltner on the back right side of his head and he fell to the ground (a short clip can be seen here). He remained on his stomach as two members of the Rockies athletic training staff aided him. He was able to get on his feet and walked off the field with the assistance of the two trainers. Black said Feltner was "still fairly lucid" and was texting with his teammates, his parents, team medical staff, and the manager on Saturday.

Black said he thinks Feltner will be back with the team on Monday or Tuesday. "He just needs time to let the fractures heal and the concussion to diminish," Black said. "From everything that I've been told here this morning, things are looking up." Feltner is 2-3, with a 5.86 ERA. Right-hander Riley Pint was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque, where the 25-year-old reliever has a 7.41 ERA in 13 appearances this season. "At some point, we're going to need a starter for Ryan's spot," Black said. "We'll go through that process this week."

(More Colorado Rockies stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X