Amed Rosario of the Rays leaves game due to head injury from 99 mph fastball

PITTSBURGH — Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Amed Rosario left Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after being hit in the head with a 99 mph fastball from Pirates rookie Jared Jones.

Jones’ third pitch to the right-handed Rosario went up and in, striking Rosario’s helmet.

Rosario crouched over for several moments at scorching PNC Park — where the game-time temperature was 95 degrees — before being helped off the field by members of the Tampa Bay training staff.

Richie Palacios pinch-ran for Rosario. Palacios then took over at second base at the bottom of the first, while starting second baseman José Caballero slid over to third to take Rosario’s spot on defense.

Rosario was the second Tampa player hit by Jones in the top of the first. The right-hander hit designated hitter Brandon Lowe in the side earlier.

Control hasn’t been an issue much this year for Jones, who entered Saturday with 22 walks and two hit batters in 79 innings.

On Tuesday night, Amed Rosario of the Tampa Bay Rays was forced to leave the game after being hit in the head by a 99 mph fastball. The incident occurred in the fifth inning of the game against the New York Yankees, when Rosario was at bat facing pitcher Gerrit Cole.

The pitch from Cole came in fast and high, striking Rosario in the helmet before bouncing off to the side. The impact was clearly audible and Rosario immediately dropped to the ground, clutching his head in pain. The Rays medical team rushed to his side and quickly assessed the situation before deciding to remove him from the game for further evaluation.

Head injuries in baseball are always a cause for concern, as they can have serious consequences if not properly treated. In this case, Rosario was taken to a nearby hospital for further evaluation and testing. The team has not released any information on his condition or the extent of his injury at this time.

Incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the dangers that come with playing a high-speed sport like baseball. Pitchers are trained to throw fastballs with precision and accuracy, but accidents can still happen. It is crucial for players to always wear proper protective gear, such as helmets, to minimize the risk of serious injury.

As fans and teammates await updates on Rosario’s condition, it is important to remember that his health and well-being are the top priority. Hopefully, he will make a full recovery and be back on the field soon. In the meantime, the Rays will have to adjust their lineup and strategy in his absence.