Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher, Hunter Bigge, was struck in the face by a 105-mph line drive baseball in last night’s game versus the Baltimore Orioles.
Bigge, 27, was leaning against the railing in the Rays dugout when Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman hit a foul ball that went directly to Bigge’s face.
The incident occurred in the seventh inning and saw Bigge immediately go down and in need of medical attention. The Rays’ medical team brought out a stretcher for Bigge and strapped him up before being carted off the field.
Tampa Bay Rays react to Hunter Bigge injury
According to Rays manager Kevin Cash, strength coach Steve Chase caught Bigge head before it hit the ground and Bigge was tended to by assistant athletic trainer Aaron Scott.
“It was really scary,” Rutschman said. “Praying for him and his recovery.”
Bigge was suffering from a lat strain and is on the 15-day injured list. He was in the dugout supporting his teammates while he recovered.
Although such a frightening moment, Bigge gave the crowd assurance that he was OK as he gave a thumbs up to everyone in George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Why are Rays playing at Steinbrenner Field?
The Rays home stadium, Tropicana Field, was critically damaged in the Hurricane Milton storm. The result of the storm left the Rays without a field for the 2025 season before an agreement with the New York Yankees allowed the Rays to play at Steinbrenner Field.
The temporary move to Steinbrenner Field is among the reasons the Rays may be close to selling their team to a Jacksonville Group.
A report on June 19 has a group of buyers led by Patrick Zalupski interested in buying the Rays from principal owner Stu Sternberg. Zalupski has signed a letter of intent form stating his interest in the team. The form does not mean the sale is final.
Where is Hunter Bigge now?
After being carted off, Bigge was taken to a local hospital to receive treatment. The relief pitcher is said to have been conscious throughout the medical help he was being provided in the dugout.
“He’s coherent. He’s talking to the physician,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said after the game. He’s going to have a lot of tests over right now. I think he’s getting some tests done, and probably throughout the night.”
As of the late morning of June 20, no new information has been released regarding Bigge’s condition.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Hunter Bigge update: What we know about Tampa Bay Rays P struck in face with ball
Reporting by Niles Garrison, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
