The first official day of Yankees summer camp didn’t start off on the best foot.
About half an hour into televised live BP, Masahiro Tanaka took a line drive to the head off of Giancarlo Stanton’s bat.
Tanaka, who was throwing BP without a screen, immediately hit the ground after Stanton’s hot shot hit him directly on the right side of his head.
Scary moment here as Giancarlo Stanton’s line drive hits Masahiro Tanaka on the right side of the head. He’s up now and being helped off mound to the dugout. #Yankees pic.twitter.com/KXxZdlt3aS
— David Lennon (@DPLennon) July 4, 2020
Medical staff quickly attended to Tanaka who spent at least a minute laying on the ground holding his head. It seemed as though some immediate concussion tests happened on the mound, and no blood was visible. After a few minutes, Masahiro was escorted to the clubhouse by medical staff.
Stanton, who was hit in the face by a pitch in 2014, was visibly shaken.
After the incident, Yankee staff brought out an L-screen in front of the mound before Jordan Montgomery continued live BP. After the workout, Boone said the pitchers had preference about pitching with a screen. It was Tanaka’s preference to pitch without one.
Update 8:25 p.m.
RHP Masahiro Tanaka has been released from the hospital. https://t.co/nuCScPs4LS
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 4, 2020
I appreciate all the support. I feel it a bit right now, but I’m all good. Going to try to get back on the mound ASAP! Thanks again for all the encouraging words!
— ç”°ä¸å°†å¤§/MASAHIRO TANAKA (@t_masahiro18) July 5, 2020
Update 4:45 p.m.
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