Pitchers getting hit in the head by line drives is a disturbing event that we’ve seen too often in recent years. Unfortunately, just such a scene occurred Thursday night in Pittsburgh as Marlins reliever Dan Jennings became the latest pitcher to be struck down by a batted ball.
The play occurred in the seventh inning on a hit by Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer.
Seeing Jennings attempt to stand up after being hit on the left side of his head, then stumbling into Jarrod Saltalamacchia, was troubling, to say the least. Players and coaches on both sides were visibly shaken by what happened, notably Mercer for his direct role in the incident. The crowd at PNC Park was eerily quiet while Jennings was being checked by trainers.
Watching someone leave the field on a cart is obviously something not regularly seen at a baseball game. But Jennings holding up his hand to acknowledge the crowd seemed to provide some reassurance that he was all right.
After the game, MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro tweeted that Jennings underwent a CT scan and the results were negative. He’s been diagnosed with a concussion, but will stay at a local hospital overnight for observation.
