Houston Astros star José Altuve exited Saturday night’s USA vs. Venezuela World Baseball Classic game after getting hit by a pitch.
In the bottom of the fifth, Team USA pitcher Daniel Bard of the Colorado Rockies threw a 96 mph sinker that struck Altuve on the right hand in two spots. Altuve appeared in considerable pain and immediately left the game.
Houston Astros star Jose Altuve leaves Venezuela's game against the USA after getting drilled by a pitch. #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/pjzpLDLaIJ
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 19, 2023
Team USA entered the bottom of the fifth with a 5-2 lead in the elimination game, but Bard’s wildness, which included a couple of wild pitches and two walks, helped Venezuela take a 6-5 lead.
No word on the extent of Altuve’s injury yet, but coming just days after New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz suffered a season-ending injury in WBC play, many fans feared the worst.
Horrible. Jose Altuve was just drilled by a pitch, and it looks bad. Bard has no control. Out of respect to their fellow big leagues De Rosa and Andy Pettitte need to pull Bard.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) March 19, 2023
Sure looked like it if you noticed how Jose Altuve was holding his hand/wrist clutched into his chest. When the ball hit that spot and his body turned as he fell; you’ll notice that his hand went floppy in the air like a dead fish.
— Ben Af Rothenberg (@RisingRedStorm) March 19, 2023
This is terrible! It doesn’t look good for Jose Altuve either but hopefully nothing is broken. I wish we could acquire Tony Kemp via trade if Altuve has to miss any significant time. @BigSargeSportz @OrtizKicks @SeanUnfiltered @mooseoutfront
— DreamTeamApple 🍎 (@DreamTeamApple1) March 19, 2023
You never want to see something like this happen in a ball game. Jose Altuve is a tough ball player but you could see he was in extraordinary pain after getting hit by the pitch. He had a look of tremendous worry on his face as he left the dugout. #worldbaseballclassic pic.twitter.com/6ss8MLkPSV
— Wayne McDonnell, Jr. (@wmcdonn25) March 19, 2023
[Photo Credit: Fox]
