Boston Red Sox third baseman Justin Turner had to endure a painful moment on Monday.
During a spring training game against the Detroit Tigers, he got plunked in the face by a Matt Manning fastball.
The scene was ugly: there was blood, there was pain, and there was obvious concern.
Fortunately, Turner was able to walk on his own power and was sent to the hospital for some tests.
The Red Sox did report that he was out of danger, though, and he was in good spirits.
On Tuesday, the player himself went to Twitter to update his state and express some thoughts about what happened.
“Thanks to everyone for all the messages and prayers! I’m feeling very fortunate to come out of yesterday with no breaks & all my chiclets in tact. The @RedSox medical staff and @Lee_Health have been absolutely amazing & I’m going to be back out on the field as soon as possible!” he tweeted.
Thanks to everyone for all the messages and prayers! I’m feeling very fortunate to come out of yesterday with no breaks & all my chiclets in tact. The @RedSox medical staff and @Lee_Health have been absolutely amazing & I’m going to be back out on the field as soon as possible!
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) March 7, 2023
That’s as encouraging as it gets!
His teeth didn’t suffer any damage, and he did not suffer any fractures either.
He avoided a worst-case scenario and has already been released from the hospital, not before receiving 16 stitches.
The tests and scans all came back clean, so it’s fair to say he was very lucky to escape.
Still, he is not expected to play anytime soon and could take at least a few weeks for him to return to the field.
The Red Sox are counting on him to play third base, but it’s conceivable that he misses the start of the season after the scary scene we all watched.
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