Baltimore Orioles pitcher Shane Baz admitted his arm “went numb” after a 105.1 mph line drive drilled into his elbow during Tuesday’s MLB game against the New York Mets at Citi Field.
Baz started the second game of the three-game series in New York, but his night ended abruptly and painfully when Mets third baseman Bo Bichette ripped a line drive straight back toward the mound.
Baz had virtually no time to react.
The ball struck him directly on the right elbow with such force that it ricocheted into left field, allowing Bichette to reach safely on a base hit.
Baz Tries to Stay in the MLB Game
Baz immediately bent over in obvious pain, removed his glove, and grabbed his injured arm. He initially attempted to remain in the game, but the extent of the problem quickly became apparent when he tried to throw a warm-up pitch.
The ball sailed over the backstop.
That was enough for the Orioles to remove their starter rather than risk worsening the injury.
Afterward, however, Baz suggested the decision was largely precautionary. He believed that with a little more time to regain feeling and control in his arm, he might have been able to continue pitching.
“It just kind of got me right in the bone, and you know, just kind of just went numb, you know,” Baz told reporters after the game.
“Really wish I could have stayed in and been able to grind through it, just couldn’t really grip the ball.”
X-Rays Bring Encouraging News
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Baz was “pretty sore” following the frightening incident, but there was also encouraging news: X-rays on the elbow came back negative.
The injury scare comes during Baz’s first season with Baltimore after he signed a five-year, $68 million contract with the Orioles during the offseason. Through 30 starts, he has recorded a 4.11 ERA.
Before being forced from Tuesday’s game, Baz had worked four innings against the Mets, surrendering three runs on seven hits while issuing two walks.
His early departure was only one dramatic chapter in a wild night at Citi Field.
The Orioles eventually emerged with a 7-5 extra-inning victory, but only after Pete Alonso delivered a major moment in the ninth inning.
Alonso Reaches 300-Homer Milestone.
Returning to Citi Field to face his former team, Alonso launched a game-tying home run that extended the contest.
The blast carried some additional significance: it was the 300th home run of Alonso’s MLB career.
“There’s a lot of history here with me,” Alonso said afterward.
“It doesn’t matter where and when; I just want to help the team win. I’m just really, really happy for us to come back the way we did.”
Baltimore ultimately finished the job in extra innings. At the same time, the negative X-rays for Baz provided some relief after an incident that initially looked like it could have produced a much more serious outcome.
