As the Toronto Blue Jays look to carry their near no-hitter 2-0 win against the Boston Red Sox into Minnesota on Friday, they may have to do it without rookie outfielder Joey Loperfido.
Loperfido suffered what appeared to be a head injury in the seventh inning after he collided with the Green Monster at Fenway Park while making a two-out catch to rob Tristan Casas. He seemed in pain, but was able to walk off the field on his own before manager John Schneider pulled the outfielder as a precaution.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Schneider confirmed that Loperfido’s exit was precautionary and that he is being evaluated.
“They’re running him through some tests.”
Loperfido, 25, struggled to start his tenure with the Blue Jays after he was acquired from the Houston Astros in the Yusei Kikuchi trade, but has settled in as of late. With the Blue Jays, Loperfido is slashing .207/.244/.390 and in the last 15 games, he’s had 13 hits and five RBI in 50 at-bats.
On Thursday, Loperfido went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Nick Loperfido is currently undergoing evaluation after colliding with the Green Monster during a recent game against the Boston Red Sox. The incident occurred in the eighth inning when Loperfido was chasing down a fly ball hit by Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo.
Loperfido appeared to lose his footing as he approached the wall and collided headfirst with the padded outfield wall. The impact was so severe that Loperfido was left lying on the ground for several minutes before being helped off the field by trainers.
The Blue Jays have not provided any specific details about the extent of Loperfido’s injuries, but they have confirmed that he is undergoing further evaluation to determine the severity of the collision. The team is expected to provide an update on his condition in the coming days.
Collisions with outfield walls are not uncommon in baseball, but they can be particularly dangerous when players collide with the padded walls like the Green Monster at Fenway Park. The padding is designed to absorb some of the impact, but collisions can still result in serious injuries, including concussions and neck injuries.
In recent years, Major League Baseball has taken steps to improve player safety by implementing new rules and regulations regarding collisions with outfield walls. However, accidents like the one involving Loperfido serve as a reminder of the inherent risks that come with playing the game at such a high level.
As fans await further updates on Loperfido’s condition, they are left hoping for a speedy recovery for the young outfielder. In the meantime, the Blue Jays will have to adjust their lineup and find a way to fill the void left by Loperfido’s absence in the outfield.