Thursday’s game between the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays at Steinbrenner Field included a scary moment during the seventh inning that saw a player put on a stretcher and taken from the field on a cart.
Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman hit a foul ball off Tampa Bay pitcher Connor Seabold that rocketed into the Rays’ dugout and hit relief pitcher Hunter Bigge. Based on the reaction of players, it was immediately apparent that a serious injury had occurred, according to Tampa Bay Times reporter Marc Topkin. Rays trainer Joe Benge called for paramedics and a cart and stretcher were brought to the dugout.
The injured player was later identified by the Rays TV broadcast as Bigge. As he was taken from the field, he gave several thumbs-up gestures to the crowd.
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Judging from video taken of the foul ball, Bigge was not only hit by the foul ball with no time to react but also fell from the bench near the dugout rail where he was sitting.
Bigge was in the dugout because he’s currently on the injured list with a right lat strain.
After Bigge was taken from the field, the game resumed with two outs in the seventh and Baltimore holding a 4-1 lead over Tampa Bay.
This story will be updated.