Masahiro Tanaka alert and responsive after being hit in head by line drive

The preliminary news on Masahiro Tanaka is good after the Yankees pitcher was hit in the head by a line drive on Saturday.

The Yankees announced that Tanaka is alert and responsive, and is able to walk under his own power. He has been taken to the hospital for tests.

RHP Masahiro Tanaka was hit in the head with a line drive during today’s sim game. He is currently alert, responsive and walking under his own power. He is being sent to
NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital for further evaluation and testing.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 4, 2020

Tanaka was pitching in a simulated game Saturday when Giancarlo Stanton hit a line drive off the pitcher’s head. Tanaka stayed down for several moments before he was ultimately able to walk off under his own power.

The 31-year-old pitcher has started at least 30 games for the Yankees in three of the last four seasons. He posted a 4.45 ERA in 2019, and was expected to be a key part of the team’s rotation in 2020.