Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Alex Cobb was hit in the head by a line drive off the bat off Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer in the top of the fifth inning on Saturday afternoon. The ball appeared to hit the right-hander on the right side of his head just above the ear, and it deflected all the way back to the home-plate area after making contact.
Cobb appeared to be moving his legs after he fell to the ground, but doctors and athletic trainers immediately called for paramedics to bring a stretcher out onto the field after they began tending to him. He was taken off the field and immediately rushed to the hospital.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have seen a scary moment like this at Tropicana Field this season. We saw an equally disturbing play there last month when Toronto Blue Jays pitcher JA Happ was hit with a line drive, and it seems like we see a few of these plays each year. Our thoughts are with Cobb in hopes that he makes a full recovery.
UPDATE: Thankfully, tests showed that Cobb only has a mild concussion. Tampa Bay Times reporter Marc Topkin says Cobb remained conscious the entire time after being hit, and that he only had some blood on his face after being hit.
The ball apparently was traveling at 102.4 mph off Hosmer’s bat when it struck Cobb in the head.
Teammate David Price even says Cobb was joking around in the hospital.
Cobber is way more tough than me!! Laughing at jokes and the name they gave him!! Please keep him and his family in your prayers
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) June 15, 2013
Cobb later sent a tweet thanking everyone for wishing him the best:
Can't thank everyone enough for the prayers. Was the only way for me to make it out of there ok. Look forward to getting back out there.
— Alex Cobb (@Acobb53) June 16, 2013
h/t Arsen
