In a horrifying scene, kansas city Royals pitcher Ryan Yarbrough was able to walk off the field on Sunday after being hit in the face with a line drive.
The incident occurred in the sixth inning of Kansas city's home game against the Oakland A's. With the Royals leading, 2–1 with one out in the top of the sixth inning, Yarbrough threw a 3–2 sinker to A's first baseman Ryan Noda. Noda made a comeback just as Yarbrough completed his followthrough. Yarbrough tried to duck, but the line drive hit the left side of his face.
Yarbrough collapsed on the mound as catcher Salvador Pérez collected the ball to throw out Noda to first.
Luckily, Yarbrough was able to walk off the field. He got to his feet with some assistance and walked into the Royals' dugout covering his face with a towel. Carlos Hernandez replaced him on the mound.
The extent of any injuries was not immediately clear. The incident ended a strong day on the mound for Yarbrough, who allowed 3 hits and 1 run in 5.2 innings of work. The 31-year-old Yarbrough is in his first season as a starter for the Royals, after spending his first five MLB seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays.