Tampa Bay Rays Pitcher Hunter Bigge Hit by 105 MPH Ball, Rushed Off on Stretcher: 'Scary for Everybody'
Hunter Bigge #43 of the Tampa Bay Rays is carted off after getting hit by a foul ball
NEED TO KNOW
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Hunter Bigge was hit in the face by a baseball going 105 mph during a game on Thursday
Bigge was carted off the field on a stretcher and taken to the hospital, general manager Kevin Cash said
Bigge underwent testing and was "coherent" at the hospital after the injury
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Hunter Bigge was hospitalized after a foul ball hit him in the face during a loss to the Orioles.
Bigge, 27, was leaning against the railing in the dugout when the baseball struck him in the face on Thursday, June 19, causing him to fall to the ground.
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According to the Statcast, the ball, hit by Baltimore Orioles' Adley Rutschman, was traveling at 105 mph when it struck Bigge.
Play was paused for several minutes as medical personnel tended to him. The pitcher was placed onto a stretcher and carted off the field as fans applauded. As he exited the stadium, Bigge gave the crowd a thumbs-up.
Julio Aguilar/Getty Hunter Bigge #43 of the Tampa Bay Rays gives a thumbs up after getting hit by a foul ball
Hunter Bigge #43 of the Tampa Bay Rays gives a thumbs up after getting hit by a foul ball
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash addressed the "scary" scene after the game, telling reporters that Bigge was taken to the hospital for testing. Cash said he didn't have "a ton to add right now" other than that his player was likely undergoing testing at the time of the postgame press conference and would continue to be tested "throughout the night."
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Cash also shared positive updates in that Bigge never lost consciousness and was able to speak with the first responders at the scene. "You feel for Hunter and his wife," Cash told reporters. "I can't imagine what she and he were going through right there. It was scary for everybody, none more than them."
The manager thanked the paramedics and EMS for being so quick to tend to Bigge.
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Rays' Drew Masmussen said, "Anything to the head is terrifying," when talking about his teammate's injury after the game. "Our thoughts and our prayers are with them, and I mean, it's just, crazy how quickly things can happen and how quickly things can go south."
Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Hunter Bigge #43 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins
Hunter Bigge #43 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins
"And tonight's game, it's like, who cares? He's a friend and a husband and a son," added Rasmussen.
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Rays reporter Marc Topkin posted to X during the incident. "Foul ball someone in #Rays dugout and you could tell by reaction of hitter, pitcher and others it was a serious issue," he wrote.
Before being hit by the foul ball, Bigge was already on the Rays' 15-day injured list as he recovers from a lat strain.
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