Philadelphia Phillies minor-league infielder Daniel Brito suffered a medical emergency on the field during the Lehigh Valley IronPigs’ Triple-A game against the Rochester Red Wings (Washington Nationals’ affiliate) on Saturday, leading to the doubleheader being postponed.
According to the Democrat and Chronicle, the third baseman “apparently suffered some type of seizure and nearly fell to the grass before Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy – who was coaching in the third base box – caught him” during the first inning of Game 1.
The Democrat and Chronicle adds that Brito “stayed on the ground for approximately 20 minutes and was administered oxygen by a paramedic.” An ambulance then arrived and Brito was taken to a local Rochester hospital.
Daniel Brito sufre emergencia médica y es sacado del campo en ambulancia
El partido entre los IronPigs – Red Wings fue postergado @69Deportes #SegDeportivo pic.twitter.com/d9JuFrdg0X
— Roberto Vinces 🇵🇪🇺🇸 (@VincesRoberto) July 31, 2021
Ambulance just arrived at Frontier Field. Stretcher is out and Daniel Brito of Lehigh Valley will be transported to a hospital. He appeared to be alert and talking as I watch from afar. pic.twitter.com/6uujk2P2Se
— Sal Maiorana (@salmaiorana) July 31, 2021
After hitting a single in the top of the first inning, Brito made a curious baserunning blunder, not running on contact with two outs. And Brito told an opposing player that he had a headache in the bottom of the first inning, according to the Democrat and Chronicle.
The Phillies released a statement announcing that Brito was undergoing surgery, and that no additional information on his condition is available at this time.
Daniel Brito suffered a medical emergency and collapsed during Triple-A Lehigh Valley’s game at Rochester. He is undergoing surgery. This is a statement from the Phillies: pic.twitter.com/nfS4jutaxn
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) August 1, 2021
The Red Wings announced that the doubleheader was suspended “in the best interest of the players and coaches for both teams,” and that the status of Sunday’s game and the postponed doubleheader “will be announced at an appropriate time.”
— Rochester Red Wings (@RocRedWings) July 31, 2021
Brito, 23, has had a highly productive 2021 season in the Phillies’ system, with a .295/.364/.473 slash line in 307 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A (he’s at .286/.375/.607 in 32 Triple-A plate appearances).
UPDATE: The Athletic reports that Brito had a second surgery on Sunday morning.
Philadelphia Phillies minor-leaguer Daniel Brito had a second surgery on Sunday morning, assistant general manager Bryan Minniti told The Athletic, following what the team called “a medical emergency” on Saturday night during Triple-A Lehigh Valley’s game in Rochester, N.Y.
“This is a special kid,” Minniti said. “A lot of people are worried.”
