Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman fell victim to one of the most terrifying injuries in sports on Wednesday night, as he was struck in the head by a Salvador Perez line drive during a Cactus League game. Fortunately, the 26-year-old flamethrower is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery.
Reds manager Bryan Price told John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that Chapman was up and joking around with catcher Brayan Pena on Thursday. Pena added that he felt a lot better after speaking to Chapman.
Team doctor Tim Kremcheck said that Chapman will need a metal plate inserted where he suffered some fractures above his left eye and nose. He suffered a very mild concussion and will undergo surgery, but the ball did not do any damage to Chapman’s actual eye. Kremcheck said that Chapman got lucky, all things considered, and that he should be able to resume exercising in six to eight weeks. He also said Chapman will “absolutely” pitch this season.
When you take into account the horrific sound the ball made when it struck Chapman, you realize how incredibly fortunate he is. For what it’s worth, Fay also noted that it would not have mattered in this instance if Chapman was wearing the protective hat now offered to pitchers. That’s not to say wearing them would be useless, but the ball caught him in the face.
We’re certainly relieved to hear that Chapman is expected back so soon.
