A Boston Red Sox player has been hospitalized after a ball hit him hard in the face during Monday's (March 6) game against the Detroit Tigers.
Justin Turner, 38, fell to the ground in pain after right-hander Matt Manning threw a ball that hit Turner in the face, knocking him off his feet and causing his head to whip to the side as he fell to the ground, before medical personnel to rushed to his aid.
The broadcast caught some footage of Turner whose face was profusely bleeding as he got up onto his knees, before being surrounded by medics. He eventually managed to walk off the field, holding a towel to his face to catch the blood.
"Oh no no no. Awful scene in the Red Sox game as Justin Turner gets hit in the head and immediately goes down. He's been removed from the game. Hoping for the best," Fox Sports analyst Ben Verlander tweeted shortly afterward.
Warning: Below image contains footage of blood that may be distressing to someThe Red Sox released a statement about the situation to update fans on his condition, saying (via Fox News): "Justin Turner was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation after being hit in the face by a pitch. He's receiving treatment for soft tissue injuries, and is being monitored for a concussion. He will undergo further testing, and we'll update as we have more information. Justin is stable, alert, and in good spirits given the circumstances."
Kourtney, Turner's wife, posted a further update on her own social media, writing on an Instagram Story upload: "Thank you to everyone that reached out about Justin and sent prayers. We're home now and he's resting (okay – maybe listening to the replay of the game).
"Sixteen stitches and a lot of swelling but we are thanking God for no fractures & clear scans!"
The Guardian detailed how Turner is a two-time All Star player who signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox for an eye-watering $15 million in January, after previously spending nine years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Prior to that, he was part of the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Mets, per CBS.
Speaking of his career after baseball, Turner told a local radio station earlier this year: "Some baseball capacity is a good way to put it. I love the game. I don't know if Kourtney wants me to be home, like, all day, every day. So, I'm pretty sure I'll stay in the game in some way, shape or form," he revealed, via Dodgers Nation.
"I don't know if it's going to be the Orel and Nomar talking about the game in the booth. I don't know if it's going to be the Chase Utley special advisor in and out, helping out behind the scenes. Or if it's going to be in the dugout somewhere," Turner added.
