Importance Score: 42 / 100 🔵
Rays Pitcher Hunter Bigge Injured After Being Struck by Foul Ball
TAMPA, Fla. — In a frightening incident during Thursday night’s game, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Hunter Bigge was hit in the face by a sharp foul ball that entered the home dugout. The injured pitcher was immediately carted off the field and transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Immediate Response and Condition
Bigge, while being secured on a backboard, signaled a thumbs-up before being taken by ambulance to the hospital for further examination. According to Rays manager Kevin Cash, the 27-year-old right-hander remained conscious and was able to communicate with the emergency responders at the scene.
Details of the Incident
The unfortunate event occurred in the seventh inning when Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman forcefully hit a pitch that veered into the Tampa Bay dugout along the first base line. The ball struck Bigge, who is currently on the injured list.
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Emergency medical staff swiftly arrived to provide aid. After a tense period where concerned Rays players knelt on the field, Bigge was carefully placed on a stretcher and taken off the field.
Impact and Game Resumption
Cash confirmed post-game that Bigge sustained facial trauma from the impact. Statcast data indicated that the ball left Rutschman’s bat at a velocity of 105 mph.
- Hunter Bigge, currently on the 15-day injured list due to a lat strain, was met with a standing ovation from the fans at Steinbrenner Field as he was carted off.
- The game experienced an eight-minute delay before resuming, with Baltimore ultimately securing a 4-1 victory.
Background of Hunter Bigge
Bigge‘s journey in professional baseball includes:
- Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 12th round of the 2019 amateur draft from Harvard University.
- His debut in Major League Baseball occurred on July 9 of the previous year with the Cubs.
- Subsequent trade to Tampa Bay, along with Christopher Morel and minor leaguer Ty Johnson, in exchange for All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes.
Career Statistics
Throughout his career, spanning 32 appearances including one start, Bigge has maintained a 2.51 ERA and recorded one save. This season, he has posted a 2.40 ERA across 13 relief appearances, pitching a total of 15 innings.