Baseball is not typically known to be a dangerous game. However, Kansas City Royals pitcher Ryan Yarbrough was on the unfortunate end of a truly terrifying incident where he took a line drive to the head in Sunday’s matchup against the Oakland Athletics.
The play occurred in the top of the sixth inning with Athletics first baseman Ryan Noda at the plate.
Noda made great contact on a line drive up the middle. Unfortunately, Yarbrough was unable to get out of the way, taking the 106 mph line drive to the head and going down instantly.
Somehow (and thankfully) Ryan Yarbrough was able to walk off the field on his own power after getting drilled by this line drive pic.twitter.com/yfbEgyk4Um
— Casey Drottar (@CDrottar19) May 7, 2023
Royals catcher Salvador Perez was able to make the play, but that was obviously secondary to the long-term health of Yarbrough after this horrible incident.
Yarbrough was quickly attended to by the Royals training staff. Thankfully he was able to walk off with some assistance, the best-case scenario when something like this occurs. He was removed from the game, being relieved by Carlos Hernández.
A scary moment in the game as Ryan Yarbrough was hit in the face with a line drive.
The Royals' starter was able to get up walk off the field with some assistance. pic.twitter.com/6EOSDjQx0M
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) May 7, 2023
Many around the MLB world took notice of this play and offered their prayers for Yarbrough on social media.
Scary situation today.
My friend and former teammate at ODU, Ryan Yarbrough, got drilled in the face with a 106mph comebacker.
Hoping everything is ok. He was able to walk off.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) May 7, 2023
It was a beautiful day at the K! For the first time in history Lonnie actually allowed us to match!! Please keep Ryan Yarbrough in your thoughts and prayers! Get well soon Ryan! #twinkies #Royals pic.twitter.com/v3HYNCXYez
— Sarah Nauser (@SarahNauser) May 7, 2023
Ryan Yarbrough has been taken out of the game after being hit in the face with a line drive
Hope he’s ok 🙏
— Royals Daily (@RoyalsDaily_) May 7, 2023
Very scary moment for Ryan Yarbrough. He has a towel covering his face as he’s helped off of the field following a strike to the head by a comebacker. #Athletics #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/XUZR2yogWw
— Uprooted (@uprootedoakland) May 7, 2023
Ryan Yarbrough was just hit square in the face by a line drive with a 106 mph exit velo. It bounced right off Ryan to Salvy Perez, who completed the play to first as trainers rushed out. He did walk off the field with assistance. So scary but good to see him up.
— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) May 7, 2023
The Royals later provided an update on Yarbrough on social media, revealing that he is alert and undergoing further testing to make sure there are no further injuries.
LHP Ryan Yarbrough is alert and undergoing further testing.
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 7, 2023
Head injuries are certainly not something to take lightly. All things considered, it is great that Yarbrough appears to be OK.
The Royals were able to come away with a victory after this incident, but for a moment the game became secondary for both fans in attendance and the players on the field.
[Casey Drottar on Twitter] Photo Credit: NBC Sports
