Josh H. Smith, a pitcher for the Texas Rangers, was taken to hospital on Wednesday, April 21st, after being hit in the face with a pitch during a game against the Oakland Athletics. Smith, who was warming up in the bullpen, was struck by a line drive hit by Athletics’ batter Matt Chapman, sending him to the ground in pain.
The incident happened in the top of the eighth inning, with the Athletics leading 8-4. Smith was quickly attended to by the Rangers’ medical team, who helped him off the field and into the clubhouse for further evaluation. The game was briefly paused, and the crowd at Globe Life Field fell silent as they waited for updates on the pitcher’s condition.
After being assessed by medical professionals, Smith took to Twitter to reassure fans that he was alright. In a tweet, he said, “Thank you all for your prayers and messages. I’m doing fine and headed home. God is good.”
It is not yet known how long Smith will be out of action or if he will be placed on the injured list. However, the Rangers have confirmed that he did not sustain any serious injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by pitchers in baseball. Despite wearing protective gear, such as helmets, pitchers are still susceptible to getting hit by line drives or foul balls, which can cause serious injuries. It is up to players, coaches, and medical staff to ensure that safety protocols are in place to minimize the risk of injuries during games.
As for the Rangers, they will look to bounce back from their defeat against the Athletics in their next game, with Josh Smith hopefully back in action soon.
